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Brightline says three outstanding items remain before construction of Aventura station pedestrian bridge
Summary
Brightline told the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust that three legal/funding items remain before the Aventura station east pedestrian bridge can be built, and that an October deadline in the original agreement could remove Brightline’s obligation if not met.
Brightline representatives told the Citizens Independent Transportation Trust on Sept. 17 that three outstanding legal and funding items must be resolved before construction can begin on the east pedestrian bridge linking the Aventura station to Turnberry and Aventura Mall.
Brian Kronberg, senior vice president at Brightline, said two items are outstanding for the FDOT use‑and‑occupancy permit needed to lift the bridge over Biscayne Boulevard: a license agreement from Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) and a license/easement from Turnberry. "The agreements for both those have been drafted. They're out with FECR and Turnberry. Both sides are reviewing them. They're just not done yet," Kronberg told the trust.
Kronberg also said the project depends on an additional $4,000,000 contribution from Turnberry and Saratoga to the City of Aventura to complete the funding balance for the bridge. He said those funds are expected but that the county and Brightline are still working on the amendment to the development agreement required to memorialize the contribution.
Brightline noted the original 2019 agreement approving the bridge contemplated an October deadline for required agreements; Kronberg said if the agreement is not completed by that date Brightline’s obligation to build the bridge could be removed. "We don't want to get to that point," he said, adding that delays raise cost‑overrun risk for Brightline if the project slips past the deadline.
DTPW staff and the trust discussed whether the county would pursue an extension if the three items were not in place by the October deadline. DTPW indicated it is engaged with Brightline, FDOT, FECR and Turnberry and that an extension will likely be required if the outstanding items are not resolved in time.
Brightline told the trust the construction contractor is ready and the project went out to bid; once the FECR license, the Turnberry easement/amendment and the funding contribution are secured, the developer expects to be in position to start construction and complete the bridge within about nine months.
Trust members requested continued updates and asked county staff to monitor the status of the FDOT permit, the FECR and Turnberry agreements, and the development‑agreement amendment.
