Florida's private inter-city rail project is getting a taste of California-style rail opposition from two counties that responded to citizens' complaints by voting to allot $4.1 million for potential legal action against rail line.
"Indian River County Commissioners pledged $2.7 million (and) Martin County Commissioners agreed to pull $1.4 million from the county’s reserve accounts to fight the rail project," writes Kim Miller of Palm Beach Post. Both votes were unanimous.
"In Indian River County, Commissioner Bob Solari said the trains, which will travel up to 110 mph, will 'deleteriously harm Treasure Coast communities." See the county's webpage on the project that has links to relevant county documents and presentations. "FECI" refers to Florida East Coast Industries, the corporation planning and financing the rail project.
"We need to do all we can to protect our community," said Solari, who also received permission to write a resolution he hopes will energize all Treasure Coast communities to oppose All Aboard Florida and derail its effort to get $1.75 billion in private activity bonds.
"That is open-ended intentionally," [Martin County Commissioner] Haddox said of the motion. "It may be to engage an environmental firm. It may be to do a more in-depth economic study. It may be to engage a lobbyist. It may be to engage in legal action. My motion is intentionally worded to be broad."
"The counties' commissioners voted to act in response to citizen complaints about the supposed impact the trains and noise would have on their quality of life," according to Progressive Railroading.
In another Palm Beach Post article, Kimberly Miller and Jennifer Sorentrue write that "All Aboard Florida would have to charge $273 for a one-way train ticket between Miami and Orlando to make its large debt payments, according to a economic study commissioned by a citizens group fighting the express passenger rail project."
The 15-page analysis by John N. Friedman, an associate professor at Brown University, found that for All Aboard Florida to break even, the private rail company’s fare would be roughly $145 more than the average cost of a one-way plane ticket between Miami and Orlando.
The actions by the two counties resemble those of cities on the San Francisco Peninsula, e.g., Atherton, Menlo Park and Palo Alto and Kings County in the Central Valley that have a long history of litigation with California high-speed rail. Atherton is now engaged in a lawsuit with Caltrain, the local community railroad, over its electrification environmental impact report.
Hat tip to Sierra Club's transportation listserv.
Read the full story: Treasure Coast counties pledge $4.1million to fight All Aboard Florida
Peninsula Cities Lose Initial CEQA Lawsuit Against High Speed Rail Authority
It was the first of many lawsuits to hit the HSRA. Menlo Park and Atherton, joined later by Palo Alto - three adjoining cities on the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County border, among the wealthiest in the nation, sued in 2008 to reroute the train.
Major Court Victory for California High-Speed Rail Authority
Plaintiffs suing the state of California over a 2016 law that allowed the High-Speed Rail Authority to tap a $9.9 billion bond measure, passed by voters a decade ago to pay for construction on "usable segments," came up short for the second time.
Drivers: Beware Following GPS Navigation Instructions Too Closely
For the second time at the same railroad crossing in Atherton, California, a motorist followed his GPS navigation onto Caltrain tracks. In both cases, the motorists fled their vehicles before being hit by an oncoming train.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello