Opposition mounts against Brightline’s pursuit of more than $1B in bonds

By: The Real Deal

Phase two of Brightline’s Miami-to-Orlando train service is off to a bumpy start.

Members of Florida’s congressional delegation are discussing whether project is eligible for $1.15 billion in tax-exempt bonds that the project’s parent company All Aboard Florida is seeking for the northern expansion of the service to Orlando. All Aboard received $600 million in private activity bonds for the first phase of the project.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has received letters to suspend the issuance of the bonds, according to the Sun Sentinel. In response, several congressional members have also signed a letter in support of the project, including Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Carlos Curbelo, Darren Soto, Lois Frankel and Frederica Wilson…