Brightline, the high-speed rail service, is gearing up for its opening in Orlando with a round of high-speed testing in Brevard County. The testing is set to begin as early as Friday, with rail speeds reaching 110 mph. This marks one of the final steps before the official launch of Brightline’s service in Orlando.
The testing will cover a 41-mile stretch of track that spans several cities in Brevard County, including Cocoa, Rockledge, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Malabar, Grant-Valkaria, and Micco. Testing will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Brightline’s Katie Mitzner expressed excitement about the upcoming launch, stating that the service will begin operating in just a matter of weeks.
Brightline has invested millions of dollars in improvements to ensure safety ahead of its launch in Orlando. Mitzner emphasized the importance of adhering to laws and exercising caution around railroad crossings. It takes a Brightline train a mile to stop, so it is crucial to follow regulations and stay off the tracks.
Tickets for Brightline’s service in Orlando are already available for purchase, with the first trips commencing on September 1, just in time for the Labor Day holiday weekend. As the high-speed testing takes place, residents can anticipate additional wait times at railroad crossings within the testing area. Flaggers will be present at these crossings, alongside local law enforcement agencies ensuring safety along the testing corridor.
To further promote rail safety awareness, the Melbourne Police Department has launched a campaign distributing safety materials to drivers and pedestrians in the rail corridor. Officers will strictly enforce the laws against trespassing on railroad tracks and crossing gates. Brightline has also implemented various safety measures, including new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings, and roadway profiles, tailored to specific crossings.
At railroad crossings where trains operate at speeds exceeding 79 mph, quad gates or medians will be installed to prevent drivers from driving around lowered crossing gates. Mitzner confirmed that while opening a Brightline station on the Space Coast has always been a vision, the current focus is on Orlando. Future discussions about additional stations are anticipated.
Brightline’s high-speed testing in Brevard County is an essential step toward the opening of their service in Orlando. The company has prioritized safety measures and urges the community to exercise caution when approaching railroad crossings. With tickets already on sale, the countdown to the inaugural trips on September 1 has begun. As Brightline ventures into Orlando, it is poised to provide a transformative transportation option to residents and visitors alike.
