Train Troubles
It's been in the planning process for over ten years, but now it's hit a snag.
Passenger Service on the Florida East Coast rail line.
We had it once, long ago. Henry Flagler saw to that. 
It went away decades ago when the owners of the tracks decided to run freight only. Today, only the rumbling noise of the rock clogged trains move through Fort Lauderdale. But the plans have been slowly working their way through the cumbersome public planning process for the new service. This passenger service line would run from Jupiter to Miami, with dozens of stops along the way.
Unfortunately, this week, residents of Fort Lauderdale Downtown have thrown a wrinkle in the process.
Here's the problem.
1.) - In order for the new service to be successful, it must run often, say every 15 minutes from each station.
2.) - The trains must pass over the New River, and the marine interests say opening a draw bridge every 15 minutes over the river would be dangerous and unworkable. They say a very tall bridge ( maybe 90 foot) would have to be built over the river.
3.) - The Downtown Residents are loudly saying "hold on, we don't want a big, ugly, tall bridge dividing the downtown". They want a tunnel.
the bridge would have to run along this stretch - Broward and south
4.) - The planners say a tunnel costs huge bucks, maybe 10 times the cost of a bridge, maybe a half a billion dollars. Probably a deal killer.
Does anyone have a phone number for Henry Flagler ???
Passenger Service on the Florida East Coast rail line.
We had it once, long ago. Henry Flagler saw to that. It went away decades ago when the owners of the tracks decided to run freight only. Today, only the rumbling noise of the rock clogged trains move through Fort Lauderdale. But the plans have been slowly working their way through the cumbersome public planning process for the new service. This passenger service line would run from Jupiter to Miami, with dozens of stops along the way.
Unfortunately, this week, residents of Fort Lauderdale Downtown have thrown a wrinkle in the process.
Here's the problem.
1.) - In order for the new service to be successful, it must run often, say every 15 minutes from each station.
2.) - The trains must pass over the New River, and the marine interests say opening a draw bridge every 15 minutes over the river would be dangerous and unworkable. They say a very tall bridge ( maybe 90 foot) would have to be built over the river.
3.) - The Downtown Residents are loudly saying "hold on, we don't want a big, ugly, tall bridge dividing the downtown". They want a tunnel.
the bridge would have to run along this stretch - Broward and south
4.) - The planners say a tunnel costs huge bucks, maybe 10 times the cost of a bridge, maybe a half a billion dollars. Probably a deal killer.
Does anyone have a phone number for Henry Flagler ???
Just curious, Tim. What's your position on this one? Any viable alternative solutions to a tunnel? Or any way to run a lighter rail system that COULD go higher over the river with lower noise levels and a more sightly presence that might not be so objectionable?
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..... good thing San Francisco didn't think like these bunch of yahoos
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How very disappointing and unimaginative. It would seem to me that reasonable people could figure out a solution to move this vital project forward. It would take the pressure off our overburdened road system and promote a safe means of travel to some of our most exciting city centers , beaches and residential communities.
I've never thought of a bridge as dividing communities. A bridge connects connects communities and if done correctly, could be a beautiful symbol for our city.
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Why is it that Ft. Lauderdale has to be goverened by a bunch of selfish,self seving bunch of a..holes?? This city will never be ranked among the great ones,as any major effort toward progress and modernization will be shot down because it ruined someone's view,or made too much noise! Come on people-start thinking of what's good for the city as a whole,not just from your front yard!! Perhaps if those nay-sayers put as much time and effort into giving back for the good of all, ...well....???
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How about not having a train at all? Amtrak, the MTA in New York are both bloodsucking black holes for taxpayers. In NY its necessary to get people into the city; here it would be a "convenience" for some. There isn't enough centralized employment to make it financially worthwhile. It will become an alternative to busses for the kind of people who take busses now. You can look at the FTL bus system and say it looks good on paper, but the truth is that nobody uses the busses unless they have no other choice.
The people commenting here will be crying about the tax burden a few years after the train is operational. Mark my words.
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