Brightline
Brightline has requested $400 million in tax-exempt bonds from the Florida Development Finance Corporation to pay for the design, development, and building of an expansion of its high-speed rail service from Orlando to Tampa, according to a Spectrum News 13 report.
According to the report, Brightline continues to see an increase in ridership month to month. The company’s biggest month so far was March 2025 with 280,000 passengers.
The funds, Spectrum News 13 reports, would also be used to “improve the railway bridge over the St. Lucie River and fund renovations to stations in Cocoa and Stuart.”
The Florida Development Finance Corporation will hold a hearing on July 17 to discuss the proposal.
Metrolinx
Construction related to Hamilton’s LRT project will see the closure Parkdale Avenue at Main Street East in Ward 4 from Monday to Wednesday of next, according to a CBC report.
According to the report, workers will install a large watermain across Parkdale Avenue as part of the ongoing work to prepare for the LRT.
“These early construction works are a critical part of ensuring roads are safe, reliable and built to service residents and businesses now and in the future when the LRT is in operation,” said the City of Hamilton in a news release.
Residents can use side streets west of Parkdale Avenue and bus detours can be found online.
“We understand that road closures can be disruptive, and we appreciate your patience as we work to deliver long-term benefits to Hamilton’s streets and neighborhoods,” said the city.
Metrolinx is responsible for delivering Hamilton’s LRT, a 14-kilometre (8.7-mile) route that will run through the lower city, from McMaster University in the west to Eastgate Mall in the east.
Construction is currently under way to ready the city for the LRT, said Metrolinx in its most recent conceptual design released in May, according to the CBC report.
“The province is in the procurement process to determine the company that will do the major ‘civil and utilities work’ to relocate utilities ‘strategically’ outside the route, as well as add bridges, sidewalks and traffic control signals,” said a city report in June.
Once a contract is awarded, the company, along with Metrolinx and the city will set an LRT construction timeline, the report said, according to CBC.
Another procurement process will take place to install the rail line, including laying the tracks.
