The train maybe derailed

[mike4scuba]

Universal wants the train to go to them instead of disney

Universal Orlando is trying to force Brightline to reroute the tracks closer to Universal’s theme parks. To get its way, Universal’s leaning on the Central Florida Expressway Authority, which controls the State Road 417 rights of way that Brightline wants to use for its preferred route to Disney.

The Expressway Authority is meeting Tuesday to decide whether it supports using its rights of way for the Brightline project, and the answer must be yes unless the region wants to risk leaving another transportation opportunity on the trash heap.

[Mazascouser]

Very interesting. Bet Disney are not happy bunnies.

[DonnaD]

Pretty sure the article I read said that they want the line to go near Universal BEFORE it goes to Disney not instead of. There has always been talk of 2 routes. One along 417 that wouldn't be near I Drive and Universal and a 2nd along 528 which could have the extra stop added. The 2nd route is more expensive and disruptive to existing houses/businesses though.

[7SeasSailor]

Originally Posted by mike4scuba

Universal wants the train to go to them instead of disney

Universal Orlando is trying to force Brightline to reroute the tracks closer to Universal’s theme parks. To get its way, Universal’s leaning on the Central Florida Expressway Authority, which controls the State Road 417 rights of way that Brightline wants to use for its preferred route to Disney.

The Expressway Authority is meeting Tuesday to decide whether it supports using its rights of way for the Brightline project, and the answer must be yes unless the region wants to risk leaving another transportation opportunity on the trash heap.

See more...

The bright line is going to extend to Tampa in which case it has got to go past Disney

[thatdavieguy]

This was mentioned weeks back, they have 2 line options - one that goes along toward i-drive and another that follows the 417 - they 417 routing is their preference but not the preference of the freeway authority, residents on the 417 route and businesses around i-drive who have been up in arms about it.

Complaints have been that it will impact the freeway structure, private properties with some losing their homes and i-drive businesses feel that they'll lose business as families will elect to stay at hotels near the route.

It would make more sense to go toward i-drive then down toward LBV, the cost is slightly higher but they would likely find ways to fund it but brightline are holding firm for now.

[Orlandobelle]

The Orlando Sentinel has reported that Brightline’s rail from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World and Tampa has been delayed indefinitely after a decision could not be made on whether to allow rail construction beside State Road 417.

[rking89]

Theres lots of videos on YouTube on this. Basically whether they go the cheap route direct to Disney or the route that more people would potentially use which goes up I-Drive and nearer Universal but costs a lot more and is more disruptive.

[pritch]

From a business point of view, perhaps a spur to i drive and universal would make sense, or a light rail /tram as in Manchester. The way car hire prices are going this would make sense to me, but not sure of theme park owners shenanigans.

[fredflintstone]

It also depends on what you class as UNiversal. They are building their new parks on land next to SandLake Rd, near I drive. That is only a couple of miles from the current train track, so I would assume they want it to route to there, which is quite easy before going to Disney, rather than the current Universal sites, which would b difficult due to it being more built-up. The new Universal site is much more 'green field' from there to the current rail line.

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by fredflintstone

It also depends on what you class as UNiversal. They are building their new parks on land next to SandLake Rd, near I drive. That is only a couple of miles from the current train track, so I would assume they want it to route to there, which is quite easy before going to Disney, rather than the current Universal sites, which would b difficult due to it being more built-up. The new Universal site is much more 'green field' from there to the current rail line.

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I doubt it. The Sandlake Road station is a Sun Rail commuter station on light rail line. I expect it doesn't even come into any of their plans except possibly as a way for some employees to get to work. Even for that they would need to expand the hours of service.