The Palm Beach Post: Delray Beach, St. Lucie County officials take aim at All Aboard Florida

Officials in Delray Beach and St. Lucie County approved measures Tuesday night taking aim at All Aboard Florida’s plan to run 32 express passenger trains between Miami and Orlando on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks.

In Delray Beach, city commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of a resolution saying they won’t support All Aboard Florida unless the company meets several provisions, including upgrading the city’s 12 crossings with the highest level of safety equipment, reimbursing the city for money spent relocating utility lines, and using a train schedule that minimally impacts motorists.

Deputy Vice Mayor Al Jacquet cast the sole dissenting vote against the resolution.

In St. Lucie County, commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday night to set aside $500,000 for legal costs to fight All Aboard Florida. The budget allocation is expected to cover legal costs through Sept. 30, which marks the end of the fiscal year, said Erick Gill, St. Lucie County’s Public Information Manager.

Aboard Florida plans 32 passenger trains a day between Miami and Orlando on the FEC tracks, with stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The Miami-to-West Palm Beach service is expected to begin in late 2016, with the Orlando leg starting in 2017.