WPBF-TV West Palm Beach: All Aboard Florida updates plans for high-speed rail

Opponents share concerns about bringing rail to Florida

Whether that’s a new plan depends on who you ask.

Company officials said phase one will connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The second phase will add a stop in Orlando, officials said, adding that has always been the plan.

But opponents who have researching All Aboard Florida and its plans said they have never heard of the plan to bring the high-speed trains in two phases.

“It tells me our voices are making a difference,” said K.C. Traylor, founder of a group called Florida NOT All Aboard, which believes All Aboard Florida will add more danger and noise pollution, and would decrease property values.

“We have over 30 resolutions between communities and homeowner associations that have spoken out against All Aboard Florida railing through their towns,” Traylor said.

Florida NOT All Aboard will launch a massive ad campaign next week hoping to educate people about All Aboard Florida and rally support against the project.

Another opponent also took steps Monday to stop All Aboard Florida.

Citizens Against Railway Expansion in Florida hand-delivered a letter to the governor’s office asking him to follow up on comments he made last month telling All Aboard Florida to pay more attention to residents’ concerns.

“We wanted to take him at his word and ask him that he continue in that regard and to specifically address the concerns that we outlined in the letter that we still feel are left unanswered,” said Bill Ward, of CARE FL.

Despite the opposition, All Aboard Florida is moving forward.

It unveiled plans Monday morning for its Fort Lauderdale station.

Company officials said they will begin construction on phase one this summer and expect to have trains running in south Florida by 2016.

Construction on phase two is scheduled to begin in 2017.