Old rail line sparks conversation about passenger trains in Southwest Florida

Long before Interstate 75, snowbirds flocked to Florida by train to escape the winter chill.

However, since 1971, the once-bustling tracks have remained silent.

"We have the seeds of a solution lying dormant right now, and that's that rail line, the dormant rail line that runs from Fort Myers into North Naples," said Daniel Cornillie.

At a WINK Listens event in Estero, Cornillie expressed interest in seeing passenger trains back on these tracks, believing it could help ease congestion on I-75.

Cornillie clarified he is not advocating for high-speed rail like Brightline or Amtrak.

"Strictly passenger oriented, moderate speed, not 120 miles an hour, like Brightline, where you have some grade crossing incidents," said Cornillie. "Just to move people," he added.

Currently, there are plans to convert the 11.4 miles of the old rail corridor into a walking and biking path. A new agreement was reached with the Seminole Gulf Railway to purchase the land for 60 million.

Collier County is slated to pay $11.6 million of the total purchase price. Commissioners will discuss the proposal at their meeting on March 10.

"There isn't a really good financial analysis for the rail system. They just don't make money unless you're in a huge, heavily populated metropolitan area," said Bill McDaniel, Collier County Commissioner.

McDaniel mentioned that the rails to trail project includes plans to preserve the corridor, keeping the option for rail open in the future.

"There will be the capacity within this right away to have a rail system, a light rail system," said McDaniel. "The last thing I want is the right of way to go away to a path, and then someday, somebody come up with technology that makes financial sense," he added.

Cornillie believes investing in train transportation is worthwhile.

"Yes, rail is not going to be free, neither is expanding 75 and we keep pouring all our tax dollars, our transportation dollars, in the concrete," said Cornillie.

WINK News reached out to Brightline about bringing a route to Southwest Florida but did not receive a response.

Amtrak referred inquiries to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT stated that it would be up to the counties to determine if they want passenger rail service. The department would then assist with a study on ridership, station locations, and operation and maintenance costs to determine feasibility.