What to Know
- Brightline has begun putting notices at select crossings to remind people of the dangers that the high speed rail brings.
- The over $1 billion system is planned to expand south to Miami and north to Orlando in the coming months or years.
After recent deaths involving people struck by the new Brightline high speed train, one citizens group along the Treasure Coast doesn’t want to train going north of its current location.
Citizens Against Rail Expansion, a group based out of Stuart, told NBC affiliate WPTV that concerns over those recent deaths and possible crashes is why they do not want the train going north of Palm Beach County.
“In the wake of the recent tragedies, we must do everything we can to prevent more of these catastrophes from occurring,” said the group’s chairman, Brent Hanlon.
Two people have been killed and three others injured since the service started on January 13th between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Two others have died and one was injured in other incidents – with several cases involving victims ignoring gates and attempting to cross the tracks before the train, traveling at 79 miles per hour, arrived.
Brightline has begun putting notices at select crossings to remind people of the dangers that the high speed rail brings. A state senator from Indian River County has proposed a bill that would allow state officials to decide what areas would benefit from fences or other protections.
The over $1 billion system is planned to expand south to Miami and north to Orlando in the coming months or years.
