The future of a prospective Brightline station in Stuart is hanging in the balance as Martin County Commissioners have a meeting scheduled this morning to deliberate on what comes next for the railway’s expansion on the Treasure Coast. This crucial discussion follows the City of Stuart’s Commission’s decision in September to backpedal on a previous agreement to lease land and support the construction of a train station, with the cited reasoning being concerns over taxpayer costs.
In a report by
Local 10
, the abandoned Stuart station site is detailed as a 2.35-acre expanse situated in the historic downtown of Stuart, Martin County, where plans had envisaged a collaborative $60 million investment. The Brightline service, which celebrated its Miami to Orlando route commencement back in September 2023, currently operates stations in several Florida cities, with the nearest to Stuart being the West Palm Beach station, roughly 40 miles to the south.
Despite the set-backs, Brightline continues to press forward, as demonstrated in Orange County last spring when their high-speed trains were subjected to extensive testing, achieving speeds up to 130 miles per hour. This performance is slightly above the speed trains maintain while carrying passengers on regular trips. Prices for travelers opting into this modernized commuting experience begin at $79 for Smart service, as
Local 10
notes, with Premium seating costing from $149 and a concession fare for children at $39.
Voices from both sides of the issue might find their concerns addressed at the upcoming commissioner’s meeting, with a definitive vote expected on the proposal by Brightline to construct the station, according to information from
WPBF
. The outcome of this meeting carries significant weight, potentially influencing the direction of intercity travel in the region and the fiscal landscape for Stuart’s residents, many of whom remain split over the railway’s encroachment versus the promise of connectedness and progress it embodies.
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