Tim Weisheyer, GOAA Board Member; Caron Good, GOAA Board Chairman; Wes Edens, Chairman, Brightline; Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor; Jerry Demings, Orange County Mayor;
Front row, from left to right:
Belinda Kirkegard, GOAA Board Member; Patrick Goddard, President, Brightline; Gregg Weiss, Mayor, Palm Beach County; Francis Suarez, Mayor, Miami; Mike Reininger, CEO, Brightline; Dr. John Evans, GOAA Board Vice Chair; Kevin Thibault, GOAA CEO.
Brightline, the leading provider of modern intercity rail in America, has recently celebrated the completion of construction on its Orlando expansion project. This milestone paves the way for the launch of rail service between Central and South Florida later this summer.
The Orlando expansion project, which broke ground in June 2019, marks a significant achievement for Brightline. It is the first private entity to deliver an intercity rail system in over a century since Henry Flagler built the renowned railroad. The completion of this project has generated more than 10,000 jobs and has had an economic impact of over $6.4 billion for the state of Florida, according to economic studies.
To commemorate the end of construction, mayors from Brightline station cities gathered for a roundtable conversation focused on transportation and the economic impact of connecting the state through intercity passenger rail. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Palm Beach County Mayor Gregg Weiss, Aventura Mayor Howard Weinberg, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez were among the attendees at the celebratory event held at Brightline’s Orlando Station in Orlando International Airport.
Brightline’s Orlando expansion project is divided into four zones. Zone 1 includes a state-of-the-art vehicle maintenance facility called Basecamp, covering 138,000 square feet and capable of servicing 16 trains daily. The Brightline Orlando Station, situated in Orlando International Airport’s new Train Station, spans 37,350 square feet and offers a connection to the airport’s terminals through an automated people mover. This zone also features various amenities such as the Mary Mary Bar, MRKT Place, a BrightKids children’s play area, and SMART and PREMIUM lounges.
Zone 2 represents a 3.5-mile section located within Orlando International Airport and boasts complex construction work, including the development of six bridges and two underpasses. Additionally, it introduces traffic interchange improvements and the airport’s first roundabout to enhance traffic flow.
Zone 3 consists of a 35-mile corridor between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa, with significant excavation and embankment fill activities, installation of retaining walls, bridges, underpasses, drainage systems, track and signalization installation, and new rail spanning 60 miles.
Zone 4 involves upgrading the existing 129-mile corridor between Cocoa and West Palm Beach. It includes the construction of a second main track, rehabilitation of existing sidings, installation and relocation of turnouts and crossovers, upgrades to 156 railroad crossings, and replacement or rehabilitation of several bridges.
Brightline has also prioritized safety, implementing crucial improvements at all 156 railroad crossings along the corridor from Cocoa to West Palm Beach. These improvements include new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings, and roadway profiles to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
The completion of this engineering achievement involved tremendous effort and resources. Over two million spikes and bolts were used, 2.3 million tons of granite and limestone were transported by 20,000 railcars, and 225 million pounds of 100 percent recycled American steel were utilized. The project also required six million cubic yards of rail embankment fill and 450,000 concrete ties manufactured in Fort Pierce, Florida.
In terms of innovative engineering techniques, Brightline employed a box-jacking method to construct two train underpasses beneath Central Florida roadways. This approach significantly reduced construction time, taking only weeks instead of the conventional method’s year-long timeframe. Hydraulic jacks were used to move the massive precast concrete boxes, each weighing over 3,000 tons.
With construction now complete, Brightline is focusing on high-speed train testing throughout the corridor between West Palm Beach and Orlando. In July, testing speeds of up to 110 mph will be conducted in Brevard County. Once testing is finalized, crew certification and revenue service demonstration will commence.
Excitement is building as tickets for service between Orlando and South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) have gone on sale. One-way SMART fares start at $79 for adults and $39 for children, while one-way PREMIUM fares begin at $149. Groups of four or more automatically receive an additional 25 percent discount on SMART fares. Tickets can be purchased online at gobrightline.com or through the Brightline app.
The completion of construction for the Orlando expansion project is a significant milestone for Brightline and the state of Florida. It represents a transformative transportation option that offers convenience, sustainability, and economic benefits for both residents and visitors. With the imminent launch of rail service between Central and South Florida, Brightline is set to revolutionize travel in the region.
Tickets Now On Sale