Brightline celebrated the completion of Orlando rail extension allowing the transport service between Central and South Florida this summer, connecting Miami and Orlando.
The CEO of Brightline, Mike Reininger, mayors of the cities and counties* from South and Central Florida along with Brightline Orlando construction team members inaugurated the extension at Brightline’s Orlando station at Orlando International Airport on June 21. 2023.
“Completing this project is the culmination of more than a decade of dedication, determination and hard work. Our team has shown its relentless ability to navigate and overcome challenges to bring us where we are today. We have built something remarkable, and I am excited to see millions of people ride brighter,” the CEO of Brightline said.
The two phases of Brightline construction generated more than 10,000 jobs and more than USD 6.4 billion in economic impact to the state of Florida. The construction teams worked more than 7 million hours battling through the pandemic and supply chain shortages to finish the 273.5 km (170 miles) corridor extension.
Work on Orlando rail extension started in June 2019 one year after operations began in South Florida between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations. Additional stations were opened in downtown Boca Raton and Aventura in 2022 as construction to Orlando continued. Brightline is the first U.S. private entity to deliver an intercity rail system.
Brightline is continuing critical high speed train testing throughout the corridor between West Palm Beach and Orlando and will test up to 110 mph through Brevard County in July. In addition to testing, Brightline recently completed its final rail and track cutover on the 170-mile project, which integrates a new second track into the existing corridor. Once testing is complete, Brightline will conduct crew certification and revenue service demonstration.
Brightline’s Orlando extension project is divided into four sub-projects, which includes a state-of-the-art 62-acre train maintenance facility in south of Orlando International Airport, tenant buildout of the Orlando station at Orlando International Airport, 56 bridges, three underpasses and upgrades to 156 rail crossings.
The second subproject covers a 5.6 km (3.5 mile) double-track section at Orlando International Airport including six bridges, two underpasses and several airport improvements, including a new traffic interchange configuration and the airport’s first roundabout designed to assist with traffic flow.
The 56 km (35 miles) line follows the Beachline Expressway/SR 528 corridor between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa. 18 new bridges, three underpasses, drainage installations, track and signalling installation and 96.5 km tracks (60 miles) of new rail will be constructed.
The last section of the project covers a 207.6 km (129 miles) corridor of existing track between Cocoa and West Palm Beach that was upgraded from Class IV to VI allowing increased speeds of up to 110 mph and included a second main track built parallel to the existing track. Work includes the shift of 90 km (56 miles) of existing track, construction of 161 km (100 miles) of new Class VI track within the existing right of way, rehabilitation of 45 km (28 miles) of existing sidings, the installation or relocation of approximately 80 turnouts and crossovers, relocation of fiber duct parallel to the ROW, and upgrades and added improvements to 156 rail crossings. Work also included replacement of 19 bridges including two movable bridges, the replacement of the Loxahatchee River Bridge and the rehabilitation of the St. Lucie River Bridge.
In March 2023, Brightline became the fastest train in Florida and the Southeastern United States after reaching speeds of 130 mph. The milestone took place while Brightline conducted train testing along its new 35-mile dedicated rail corridor between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa.
*Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss, Aventura Mayor Howard Weinberg and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez
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