Why it's still so hard to get from Brightline to Aventura Mall
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When Miami-Dade County paid $76 million to build a Brightline station in Aventura, the idea was that riders would be able to easily cross Biscayne Boulevard to get to Aventura Mall.
- But more than two years after the station opened, the privately operated train company has yet to install the pedestrian bridge, first expected to be ready by last Thanksgiving, per Miami Today.
Why it matters: Since Brightline discontinued a free shuttle service to the mall last year, train passengers must either book a rideshare or walk more than a mile to access Florida's largest mall, which receives 28 million annual visitors.
- Citizen journalist and YouTuber Joel Franco recently documented his experience making the "ridiculously long walk" from the station to the mall, which took him 25 minutes one way.
- He pointed out how Metrobus service no longer reaches the Aventura station, further limiting transportation options.
Yes, but: Riders with premium tickets, which include free drinks and snacks, also receive a $10 Uber voucher they can use to cover their connection to the mall.
- For context: A premium one-way ride from Miami to Aventura can run you around $50, versus around $15 for a regular ticket, according to a recent review of pricing on the Brightline website.
What they're saying: Brightline spokesperson Ashley Blasewitz told Axios that "projects of this magnitude are complicated and require a lot of collaboration" with stakeholders, ranging from mall owner Turnberry to government agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation.
- "Everyone wants to provide easy pedestrian access to the Aventura Mall for Brightline guests and this bridge will be a great way to do that," Blasewitz wrote in a statement.
- "We have completed all the steps necessary to begin construction including procurement of the bridge structure which is already on site."
What's next: Construction is expected to begin by early fall and take about eight months.