Florida East Coast Industries (FEC) marked a milestone in the development of its All Aboard Florida passenger train service by drilling the pilings for the foundation of a train station in West Palm Beach.
A large crane was set up last week at the site of the $29 million train station, located north of CityPlace between Datura and Evernia streets.
During an open house on June 2 for West Palm Beach residents, All Aboard Florida reportedly revealed its plans for a 23-story apartment tower to accompany its train station. The tower would have 275 rental units, ground-floor retail space and a parking garage with 800 spots.
Florida East Coast Industries is planning the train service to shuttle passengers on the FEC rail line east of I-95 between downtown stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach with continuing service to Orlando. All Aboard Florida would provide service from downtown Fort Lauderdale to downtown Miami in 30 minutes.
FEC expects delivery of the trains and the completion of the stations and infrastructure improvements in 2016. Testing and training would start in late 2016, so that by early 2017, All Aboard Florida would start to transport paying customers. [Palm Beach Post] – Mike Seemuth