It looks like Brightline has taken one more steps toward its proposed Orlando-to-Tampa extension project.

The Miami-based rail firm met with several stakeholders in the last few weeks, Brightlines Exec VP  of Infrastructure Michael Cegelis said the rail line currently has a July 31 deadline to negotiate the lease of right of way needed for the expansion to Tampa, which is needed for the project to proceed.

So far, the rail firm has met with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise and several Florida Department  districts.  Other meetings that are taking place are with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority and the Central Florida Expressway concerning lease agreements.

Brightline has already presented two potential 17-mile routes, one which serves the Orlando International Airport to Disney Resorts. This route follows the State Road 417. The alternate route goes near Vineland Road and communicates with Universal Orlando Resorts and International Drive Resorts. 

It's yet to be determined which route is in the best interest of Orlando county residents or will it come down to costs?  Hmmm.....either way on a personal thought.... I sure hope it get's used more than our Sunrail system that runs through Orlando. 

Brightline said they are targeting the full 85-mile extension from the Orlando airport to Tampa by roughly 2028-2029 but still don't really know just how much it's gonna cost.

The company is currently 52% complete on its $2.7 billion, 170-mile extension from West Palm Beach to the Orlando airport. Service is expected to start in 2023 after completion of the route by the end of 2022. We shall see :)