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It's Full Speed Ahead For Brightline With Work on Central Florida Projects Continuing During the Pandemic

Photo: Gerrie van der Walt
Photo: Gerrie van der Walt

Brightline says it’s going to reopen services in South Florida in the not-so-distant future subject to the travel market. 

CEO Patrick Goddard says Brightline closed down March 25 in Miami due to the pandemic and the company is reevaluating when the trains can reopen. 

Goddard says travel is coming back to the area but it’s still significantly down. 

He says it’s half dependent on the business community coming back, half on the leisure sector rebounding.

"So we're evaluating once those are going to get back to the pre-COVID levels, or close to pre-COVID levels. So we're looking at that all of the time. We're looking at that data all of the time."

[audio mp3="https://www.wmfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/brightline-clip-two-.mp3"][/audio]

Goddard says even during the pandemic, construction on a line connecting Orlando with West Palm Beach has continued.

He says even more jobs will be created with the latest announcement of a stop at Disney Springs.

"I mean this is probably a ten thousand person job to do this construction between OIA and Disney alone. Just that segment."

[audio mp3="https://www.wmfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/brightline-clip-one.mp3"][/audio]

Goddard says the company is evaluating possible stops in Cocoa, Martin or St. Lucie counties, and Tampa as well.
If you'd like to listen to this story, click on the clips above.

Danielle Prieur covers education in Central Florida.