Latest news with #Brightline
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
High-Speed Rail Developers Issue Las Vegas-SoCal Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The construction team for Brightline West, a proposed new high-speed rail line linking Las Vegas, Nevada, to Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California, says that it is "getting close" to the construction phase of the project. Newsweek reached out to Brightline West for comment on Friday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters The United States doesn't have any operational high-speed rail lines, defined by the International Union of Railways as operating at a minimum of 155 miles per hour along specially built tracks, in contrast to other advanced nations such as China, which has nearly 30,000 miles of track in operation. The race is currently underway between California High-Speed Rail, which is under construction between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Brightline West to see which can be the first to open a U.S. line. What To Know Brightline West told Fox 5 Las Vegas that it has now completed 99 percent of the field evaluations for the project, which will help finalize the design. The company has been collecting soil samples along the proposed route since last year, which are being evaluated to determine the grading and what support is needed for the track, stations, and other facilities. The company told the news station that it is "getting close" to the main construction stage, more than one year after it held a groundbreaking ceremony in 2024. A spike is displayed before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new high-speed rail at the Brightline West Las Vegas station on April 22, 2024. A spike is displayed before a groundbreaking ceremony for a new high-speed rail at the Brightline West Las Vegas station on April 22, West trains are planned to travel at up to 200 miles per hour, meaning the journey from Las Vegas to Southern California could be reduced to around two hours. The company originally planned to open the line in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but this date has since been pushed back. In September 2022, Brightline launched a new railway line in Florida linking Miami and Orlando. This was the first privately operated rail line to open in the U.S. in a century, though it travels at just below the high-speed categorization. What People Are Saying Former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told Newsweek: "If you look at the Brightline project in Florida between Miami and Orlando, now it's not high-speed rail, but it is wildly popular. They're putting more and more trains on that track every day because people like the idea that they don't have to get on the I-95. "If you build it, they will come, if you build it, it will be successful and I think that will be the case with Brightline West, Las Vegas to LA, and I think it will be true San Francisco to LA. I think they will be wildly popular. I really believe at this point if you build it, they will come and the proof of that is Europe and Asia. Their trains are wildly popular." Then Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pictured at the ground breaking ceremony for Brightline West Las Vegas station on April 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Then Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg pictured at the ground breaking ceremony for Brightline West Las Vegas station on April 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller/GETTY What Happens Next Work on Brightline West is expected to intensify in the coming months, while a separate proposal, called the High-Speed Desert Corridor, aims to link it to California High-Speed Rail via a third rail line. It remains to be seen whether Brightline West or California High-Speed Rail can build the first operational high-speed rail line in the U.S.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Brightline station food hall in Miami reopens with popular local favorites
Brightline's Central Fare food hall in downtown Miami has reopened with brand-new vendors, more than a few of them very familiar to Miami diners. The Central Fare Food Collective features 12 concepts, all but one of which are Miami born-and-bred, including Stanzione Pizza; a sushi concept from the creator of Mr. Omakase; a couple of Michelin-recognized spots; and the insanely popular pop-up The Wolf of Tacos, the first permanent spot for them. The vendors were curated by Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage, in collaboration with Brightline. Working with Brightline, Bendersky said, made this one of the best projects he has ever worked on. 'They were so cool when I pitched them the 305 idea,' Bendersky said. 'I believed the vendors had to be local and upstarts. I knew if we could make it affordable for them and allow them to make money and keep costs lower to customers, it would work.' Vendors will also have the ability to offer delivery options, Bendersky said, a good plan considering the population density of that part of Miami. 'For this to work, it had to be local people foodies want,' he said. 'We've got the Beaker & Gray guys running the bar! It really does feel like a community.' Central Fare vendors Cotoita: This concept by Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza, whose restaurant Cotoa was named to the 2025 Michelin Guide earlier this year, will offer empanadas de queso, bowls and patacones with sweet paletas for desserts. El Turco Express: From the creators of the Michelin Bib Gourmand El Turco in Upper Buena Vista, this spot will serve kebabs, hummus, baklava and other Turkish specialties. Guchi's Handroll Bar: Andrew Mayer, the founder of Poke OG, Mr. Omakase and Miss Crispy Rice, is offering sushi handrolls, including the Surf & Turf made wit hA5 Wagyu Beef and crab. There are also poke bowl options. Icy-N-Spicy: Owner Xiaoli Liu offers artisan desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries and Dubai chocolate bars made with phyllo, pistachio and chocolate. Josh's Corner Diner: If you've never visited the Michelin-recommended Josh's Deli in Surfside, here's your chance to see what the fuss is. This diner offers classic breakfast fare like pancakes, French toast, bagels, breakfast sandwiches and more. At lunch, try tuna melts, po'boys, burgers and other diner fare. Peel!: Peel! from Valeria Alvarez offers natural, vegan desserts that start as bananas and coconut milk and turn into creamy soft serve. Peppi's Steaks & Hoagies: The creator of Peppi's Pizza brings the best of Philly to Miami with hoagies and cheesesteaks (either the Philly classic or something a little different, like a buffalo chicken cheesesteak). Rosetta Bakery: Expect Italian-style baked goods Stanzione Pizza: Franco Stanzione started making his Neoapolitan pizzas in Miami in 2013 and will serve them here, along with pasta dishes like spaghetti pomodoro. Stephanie's Crepes: This spot offers sweet creeps (with fresh fruit, custard or yogurt) or savory crepes (with greens, proteins and sauces). Switchpoint Station Bar: The Unfiltered Hospitality team mans Central Fare's bar, offering cocktails and mocktails as well as tea and coffee drinks The Wolf of Tacos: Chef Eduardo Lara started his beloved brand in 2020, selling tacos out of his home and eventually popping up around Miami. This is his first brick-and-mortar kitchen, offering the street tacos that made him Miami famous. Central Fare Where: 600 NW First Ave., Miami Hours: 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily; hours of actual vendors may vary day to day More information:
Axios
12-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why it's still so hard to get from Brightline to Aventura Mall
When Miami-Dade County paid $76 million to build a Brightline station in Aventura, the idea was that riders would be able to easily cross Biscayne Boulevard to get to Aventura Mall. But more than two years after the station opened, the privately operated train company has yet to install the pedestrian bridge, first expected to be ready by last Thanksgiving, per Miami Today. Why it matters: Since Brightline discontinued a free shuttle service to the mall last year, train passengers must either book a rideshare or walk more than a mile to access Florida's largest mall, which receives 28 million annual visitors. Citizen journalist and YouTuber Joel Franco recently documented his experience making the "ridiculously long walk" from the station to the mall, which took him 25 minutes one way. He pointed out how Metrobus service no longer reaches the Aventura station, further limiting transportation options. Yes, but: Riders with premium tickets, which include free drinks and snacks, also receive a $10 Uber voucher they can use to cover their connection to the mall. For context: A premium one-way ride from Miami to Aventura can run you around $50, versus around $15 for a regular ticket, according to a recent review of pricing on the Brightline website. What they're saying: Brightline spokesperson Ashley Blasewitz told Axios that "projects of this magnitude are complicated and require a lot of collaboration" with stakeholders, ranging from mall owner Turnberry to government agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation. "Everyone wants to provide easy pedestrian access to the Aventura Mall for Brightline guests and this bridge will be a great way to do that," Blasewitz wrote in a statement. "We have completed all the steps necessary to begin construction including procurement of the bridge structure which is already on site."
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Florida Unveils Inter-City Rail Changes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Florida's state legislature has passed a new bill that creates new liability and insurance rules for one of the state's largest railroads. The Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act, which affects how consumers interact with Brightline and the Florida East Coast Railway, will come into effect on July 1. Newsweek contacted the bill's sponsor, Representative Vicki Lopez, for more information on the legislation via email. The Context Brightline is the rail service that connects Miami to Orlando in Florida. In 2024, its Miami-Orlando services covered a total of 5.4 million miles with 2.6 million rides taken, making it one of the most frequently-traveled routes in the country. Any legislation that affects how passengers interact with the route has big ramifications for commuters. What To Know The new law, which was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday, allows public agencies in Florida to assume certain indemnification obligations and purchase insurance related to the operation of commuter rail services on the corridor. The legislation also authorizes state agencies that enter into agreements with Brightline to take on risks related to accidents involving their passengers. Part of the bill explicitly defines Brightline and FECR as explicitly "not officers, agents, employees, or subdivisions of the state," meaning that the companies and their employees do not receive the sovereign immunity protections that the state would. The new Brightline train is headed to Fort Lauderdale, in Miami, Florida, October 23, 2024. The new Brightline train is headed to Fort Lauderdale, in Miami, Florida, October 23, 2024. Getty Images Agencies will be able to indemnify Brightline and the FECR for costs and expenses due to accidents involving the agency's own passengers and invitees, "regardless of whether the loss... is caused in whole or in part, and to whatever nature or degree, by the fault... of such freight rail operator." For consumers and insurers, this means that public entities will only continue to bear the risk of accidents related to private operators within very strictly defined boundaries. What People Are Saying Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in relation to Brightline's plans for expansion in 2024: "It's privately funded. I mean, we are not going to be on the hook as the state with taxpayers for doing trains. "If they proceed, there is a corridor to be able to do that. But it's not going to be Florida taxpayers constructing a train. I can be clear on that." What Happens Next The Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act will come into effect on July 1 after being approved by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday. Brightline has plans to build a station in Cocoa, a city near the Atlantic Ocean east of Orlando, as part of its broader efforts to expand throughout Florida.
Bloomberg
05-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Rancho Cucamonga Bets Big on Becoming First US Bullet Train Hub
Rancho Cucamonga, a car-dependent suburb 40 miles east of Los Angeles, is positioning itself to become America's first bullet train hub when Brightline West's high-speed rail line opens in 2028. The private rail line will connect Southern California and Las Vegas, making Rancho Cucamonga the western terminus of the $12 billion project. The city is planning a dense, walkable urban district around its upcoming rail station, transforming the sprawling commuter town into a transit-oriented destination for the millions of passengers expected to pass through annually, contributor Sarah Stodola reports. Success ultimately hinges on Brightline's ability to meet its ambitious deadline and ridership projections. Today on CityLab: Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga!
