Private high-speed rail operator Brightline has selected Stuart as their next planed station stop. Municipalities in Florida have been competing for Brightline to add a station stop in their city. The rail operator operates daily service from Miami to Orlando with intermediate stops in Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. No start date for the Stuart has been announced as of yet however, City Manager Mike Mortell confirmed with city employees about Brightline’s selection of Stuart.
Expanding Private High-Speed Rail
Brightline has been on a roll with their expansion on both the east and west coast. Recently the rail operator officially opened up service to Orlando international Airport (MCO) while receiving further funding for the upcoming Brightline West service connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Meanwhile in Stuart, the city has been looking to poach Brightline for quite some time. Palm beach news organization TC Palm reports that “Stuart’s station is estimated to cost about $60 million. Construction cost will be covered by the city, county and Brightline, with $45 million coming from the city and county.” Stuart will lease the site to Brightline for $1 a year for 80 years. There is a high probability of additional stations in the pipeline when Brightline begins phase three of the route expanding service west of Orlando to Tampa.