Editing Tri-Rail (section)

=== 1980s–1990s: Planning and inauguration ===
Planning for a new commuter rail line began in 1983, and building the organization began in 1986. The current system was formed by the [[Florida Department of Transportation]] and began operation January 9, 1989, to provide temporary commuter rail service while construction crews widened [[Interstate 95 in Florida|Interstate 95]] and the parallel [[Florida's Turnpike]].<ref>3,000 a day ride Tri-Rail trains ''[[Railway Age]]'' February 1989 page 24</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.getcruising.com/rails/_trirail.html|title=TRI-RAIL South Florida's Commuter Rail System |website=GetCruising.com |access-date=2011-11-10}}</ref> Tri-Rail was free from opening until June 1, 1989.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/159826975/ |first=Lois |last=Kaplan |title=Leniency the ticket as Tri-Rail starts charging |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |date=June 2, 1989 |page=2B |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Due to higher than expected ridership, FDOT made Tri-Rail a permanent service, adding more trains and stations in the process.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} The state's original plan was to use the more urban Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) line, but FEC declined the offer as it wanted freight to be their top priority.<ref name="sunsentinel59,000" /> In 1998, the initial {{convert|67|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} route was extended north from the West Palm Beach station to the {{stn|Mangonia Park}}, and south from {{stn|Hialeah Market}} to Miami Airport (at an earlier station on the site of the current station). Construction of the extensions began in 1996; which added nearly {{convert|4|mi}} to the system.