Florida Rep. Ted Deutch (D) took to social media “to celebrate the opening of a new Bright Line station that will help keep residents connected throughout our state.” The Florida Democrat joked that “during this recess,” he hasn’t taken time off. Instead, he’s “been working… on the railroad!” in order to provide better transportation for Floridians.
During this recess, I've been working...on the railroad!
Happy to have joined @CityBocaRaton this morning to celebrate the opening of a new @GoBrightline station that will help keep residents connected throughout our state.https://t.co/UV0b5TuWlL
— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) January 25, 2022
On Instagram, Deutch called high-speed rail a “cost-effective” option, saying that “it connects families, smooths commutes, and bolsters tourism across our state.” He further expressed that high-speed rail is “energy-efficient, helping to combat the growing climate crisis by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
The City of Boca Raton in 2020 “received a $16 million grant from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration in recognition of the important economic role that high-speed rail can have on a community,” Deutch added.
Calling it a “pivotal project,” Deutch explained that it is “a perfect example of the opportunities that can arise from strong collaboration between the private sector, local government, state government, and federal government.”
Deutch called the collaboration between the public and private sector “essential in providing critical investments into our local infrastructure and will help benefit the community, local businesses, local tourism, and the environment,” adding that he believes there is a “bright future” for this effort.
The City of Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer called the station a “game-changer,” and it is expected to create around 500 jobs while also stimulating tourism.
It will be Bright Line’s fifth station in Florida and the second station located in Palm Beach County.
