Railway system planned for Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Recently filed paperwork means All Aboard Florida is laying the groundwork for a railway system in Jacksonville.

Agreements have been signed for laying the foundation to put a rail system connecting Jacksonville with the rest of the Florida east coast.

Tim Haynes lives in the area where up to four more tracks could be added.  He says he isn't worried about more traffic or noise.

"We have a train yard there. We hardly hear it anyway," said Haynes.

According to the plans filed in both Duval and St. Johns counties, the Florida East Coast Railway has given permission for All Aboard Florida to use existing tracks or build more to accommodate All Aboard Florida’s plan. All Aboard has been working for years on getting the railways in the state. All Aboard officials would only say these documents clarify ownership rights.

But East Coast railway tells us this sends a message for the future.

The spokesman told us the plan right now is to first build the route from Miami to West Palm and then expand from West Palm up to Cocoa. The project would then stretch from Cocoa to Jacksonville.

Congresswoman Corinne Brown hadn't heard of this latest move, and even asked for copies of the documents we uncovered. But she says it's not a surprise. "All Aboard Florida has been working in Washington," said Congresswoman Brown.

We did find neighbors in other parts of Florida concerned with noise and traffic with the rail system. There is no timetable or cost for the plan from Cocoa to Jacksonville. The Miami to Orlando segment is supposed to be done by 2016.

All Aboard Florida provided the following comment to Action News on Friday:

"We are solely focused on getting the Orlando-to-Miami service operational. Once the Orlando-to-Miami service is operational, extensive ridership analysis and research will be conducted to determine the viability of future extensions and stations."

WJAX