Getting to Key Largo wouldn't be all that expensive, but once you get past Islamorada I think it gets problematic due to the lack of RR bridges.
It is just as well, Key West is kind of touristy/fern bar'ish now so Key Largo is more fun for scuba and snorkeling, and food for that matter. ;-)
Seriously, though, I could have sworn I heard trains near Mrs. Mac's in Key Largo but I can't find a track on Google maps to save my life.
On edit: And looking at the map, just getting to Islamorada would be problematic as well. I think almost all the old RR bridges south of Key Largo are gone.
Fern bars? Key West? We are a hard drinking town with a serious tourist problem :blush:
Anyhow, on topic, the article mentions monorail and I suspect that the system would have to be something like that. While a lot of the old grade (Old US1) is still there, it would be impractical to use it.
If it is ever built it will be something like the NJT River Line using DLRTs
Incidentally most of the old Flagler 7 Mile bridge is intact and probably can be repurposed for LRT use. Maybe even the old Bahia Honda Bridge can be refurbished for such use.
Traffic on Route 1 in the Keys is a complete nightmare. An ideal situation would be build such a light rail with relatively frequent service with stops on each island, and then place some enormous toll on private cars with exception for residents of the Keys. build a large parking lot station on the mainland allowing people to leave their cars long term for a low parking fee and transfer to the light rail to get to the islands in the Keys.
Building it grade separated would be extremely desirable but will probably be difficult to get environmental approval for.
Now only if we can get FECI interested in it
Right now they are thinking of banning pedestrian traffic on the
Old 7 due to safety concerns. The old swing section is beyond repair and would cost a fortune to replace. There is a similar situation with the old Bahia Honda Bridge.
The bridges that are viable are being used for a bike trail or fishing piers. Fixing them might be viable, but a suspended monorail system is probably a better choice.
Neither one is likely to be done in any reasonable lifetime, though.
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Bud