Aventura could get a direct commuter rail link to Fort Lauderdale under a federally backed project that cleared a key milestone on Friday, Oct. 23.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) advanced the Broward County Commuter Rail South project into the engineering phase of its Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, according to an FTA press release. The move comes with an anticipated federal commitment of approximately $164 million.

The project would extend commuter rail service 10.5 miles along the existing Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway corridor, connecting Aventura in Miami-Dade County with Fort Lauderdale. It would serve northeast Miami-Dade County, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, the Dania Beach/Airport District and neighborhoods south of downtown Fort Lauderdale, according to Metro Magazine.

Three new stations are planned: Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and South Fort Lauderdale. That South Fort Lauderdale stop would provide access to downtown Fort Lauderdale, Broward Health Medical Center, the Broward County Convention Center and Port Everglades, according to Broward County's project page.

Broward County estimates the rail line would save riders 20 to 50 minutes compared with driving on I-95.

What the engineering phase means

Entering the engineering phase allows Broward County Transit to begin spending on engineering work, demolition, utility relocation, property acquisition and procurement of specialized equipment and materials, the FTA said. It does not yet authorize construction.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in the FTA announcement that "the Sunshine State is one step closer to building a new commuter line that will deliver another affordable, safe, and efficient way for Florida families to get where they need to go."

The $164 million federal commitment remains subject to completion of financial, technical and legal requirements, as well as annual congressional appropriations.

Timeline and what comes next

Broward County's own project timeline lists engineering from 2027 through 2028, construction from early 2028 through 2032 and service starting in 2032. The FTA announcement itself did not include a construction timeline or anticipated opening date, Metro Magazine reported.

The project has been in development since January 2021, when the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Broward County Transit began evaluating commuter rail alternatives along the FEC corridor. The Broward County Commission adopted the route as its preferred alternative in August 2022. In 2022, FDOT committed up to $74.25 million to the project, Trains.com reported.

A separate project from the Northeast Corridor

The Broward Commuter Rail South is distinct from the Miami-Aventura Northeast Corridor, a separate 13.5-mile commuter rail project that would run from downtown Miami north to the Brightline station in Aventura. If both projects are completed, they would connect to form a continuous commuter rail line from downtown Miami through Aventura and north to Fort Lauderdale.

The Northeast Corridor project faces its own complications. Trains.com reported that Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's office said the current contract proposal with Brightline for that project "does not meet that standard" of protecting taxpayers, citing an independent review that found "significant financial and contractual concerns that must be addressed."

No public statements from Aventura city officials regarding the BCR South milestone were available as of publication.

Broward County Transit Project Manager Jie Bian and FDOT Project Manager Phil Schwab are listed as contacts on the county's project page.