Tri-Rail, South Florida’s regional transportation titan, is revving its engines, ready to bring its services to the bustling heart of downtown Miami at Central Station. Amid a jigsaw of negotiations and federal regulations, the rail authority is working tirelessly, polishing the final pieces for a seamless launch.
David Dech, the dynamic executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, is steering this ambitious endeavor. Speaking to the Miami-Dade Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust recently, he outlined the complex terrain Tri-Rail has been navigating. A delicate dance of cooperation is required with Brightline, the privately-owned intercity passenger service, and FEC, the freight railway owner. All three will share the station and tracks, a unique blend of public and private enterprise in action.
The four-party alliance has been a decade-long challenge, but Dech is optimistic about its imminent resolution. Tri-Rail has finally managed to adapt its trains to Brightline’s platform specifications, overcoming initial hiccups with platform-friendly modifications.
“We’re now focusing on the finishing touches – installing signage, ticket vending machines, and sprucing up the platforms with a fresh coat of paint,” Dech said, brimming with anticipation.
Yet, the challenge of orchestrating train movements in a busy rail corridor remains. Tri-Rail is preparing to add 26 commuter trips per day to the mix, joining Brightline’s passenger services and FEC’s freight operations. To ensure smooth operations, Tri-Rail has to secure a trained and certified fleet of controllers.
“We’re learning the ropes from the Brightline crews who have already been trained by FEC,” Dech explained. However, full safety certification is pending until the Federal Railroad Administration greenlights Tri-Rail’s trains, and subsequently, its lead staff can be certified to educate the rest of the crews.
Another hurdle lies with the locomotives themselves. Four out of twelve engines, crucial for the downtown venture, are currently being refurbished to meet federal standards. The next stop? Texas, for rigorous Environmental Protection Agency testing.
In the meantime, Tri-Rail has managed to untangle the thorny issue of train dispatching. A settlement has been reached for three fully certified dispatchers, one for each line, working together in a public safety communications center. This innovative solution started to take shape in March.
Adding to the mix, FEC recently underwent a leadership reshuffle, resulting in extensive documentation requests. But Tri-Rail responded swiftly, delivering the required paperwork within two days.
“We’re confident about our progress with Brightline on the station,” Dech asserted. “We’re inching closer to gaining access to the rail alignment. To meet our fall deadline, we need to get on that alignment soon. Rest assured, we’re putting every effort and pulling every lever to secure that access.”
As Tri-Rail inches closer to its downtown debut, Miami can look forward to a refreshing new chapter in regional transportation forged by collaboration, perseverance, and innovation.
