Disney says Disney Springs no longer part of Brightline rail expansion
As the Brightline high-speed expansion route from South Florida to Tampa has changed, Walt Disney World has said the plans for a station at Disney Springs is no more, according to a report in the Orlando Business Journal.
When Disney first announced its involvement in 2019 the train route was planned from Orlando International Airport down State Road 417 to Disney Springs and then down Interstate 4 to Tampa. The current route is expected to take it from the airport along State Road 528 and Taft-Vineland Road to the south International Drive corridor near Universal Orlando and then on to Interstate 4.
“As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” Disney spokesperson Avery Maehrer told Orlando Business Journal.
No further comment or information is available.
The original route came under criticism from Hunter Creek residents. In addition, the city of Orlando, Orange County, I-Drive businesses and Universal Orlando wanted the route to go to the Orange County Convention Center area to help strenghthen access to that specific area.
Universal has pledted it will donate 13 acres for the constrcution of a train station.
The 170-mile West Plam to Orlando expansion is roughly 80% complete and expected to finish construction by the end of this year with service starting in 2023.
