Brightline Train Projects

02/15/2023

THIS WEEK: BRIGHTLINE TO BEGIN HIGH SPEED TESTING UP TO 110 MPH THROUGH 
 PALM BEACH COUNTY AS TESTING IN MARTIN & ST. LUCIE COUNTIES CONTINUES

Residents should follow the law around active railroad tracks and stay off the tracks


MIAMI, Fla. (February 15, 2023) – Brightline will begin testing trains at high speeds up to 110 miles-per-hour in northern Palm Beach County as soon as Friday, February 17 and continuing through the month. This comes as Brightline continues high-speed testing today and tomorrow, February 15 and 16, through Martin and Palm Beach Counties.

 The high-speed testing in Palm Beach County will take place from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Lake Park, Riviera Beach to West Palm Beach and will occur daily between 7AM and 7PM. Flaggers will be present at railroad crossings when there is ACTIVE testing taking place in the area and there will be an increased law enforcement presence around railroad crossings. 

 The testing is in preparation for opening to Orlando in 2023 and will continue in phases along the 129-mile rail corridor between West Palm Beach and Cocoa. Residents should be alert and follow the law around active railroad tracks and railroad crossings. Testing is expected to bring additional wait times at railroad crossings.

 Brightline is making crucial safety improvements at all 156 railroad crossings along the corridor. All safety improvements have been installed at crossings in the testing areas. Those improvements vary per crossing, but may include new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings and roadway profiles. Where trains will operate at speeds over 79 mph, crossings have quad gates or medians to prevent motorists from driving around lowered crossing gates. 

 PALM BEACH COUNTY – Railroad Crossings 

Flaggers will be present at the following railroad crossings when there is ACTIVE testing taking place in the area:

  1. Frederick Small Rd.
  2. Donald Ross Rd.
  3. Hood Rd.
  4. Kyoto Gardens Dr.
  5. RCA Blvd.
  6. Burns Rd.
  7. Lighthouse Dr.
  8. Richard Rd.
  9. North Lake Blvd. (SR 809)
  10. Park Ave.
  11. Silver Beach Rd.
  12. Blue Heron Blvd. (SR 708)
  13. Flagler St. (West 13th St.)
  14. Inlet Blvd./MLK Jr. Blvd. (SR 710)
  15. 49th St.
  16. 45th St. (CR 702)
  17. 36th St.
  18. 30th St.
  19. 25th St.
  20. 23rd St.
  21. 15th St.


10/4/2022 11:35 am

BRIGHTLINE TO BEGIN TESTING AT 110 MPH THROUGH MARTIN AND ST. LUCIE COUNTIES

Residents should follow the law around active railroad tracks

Brightline will begin testing trains at maximum speeds of 110 miles-per-hour in Martin and St. Lucie Counties the week of October 17, 2022. Residents should be alert and follow the law around active railroad tracks and railroad crossings. This first phase of testing is expected to take place over a six-week period and along an 11-mile section of track, spanning nine railroad crossings in Martin and St. Lucie Counties, including: 

St. Lucie County

  • Savannah Rd. / Waterplant Rd.
  • Midway Rd. (CR 712) 
  • Walton Rd. 
  • Riverview Dr.

Martin County

  • County Line Rd.
  • Skyline Dr. (CR 722)
  • Pitchford Landing
  • Jensen Beach Blvd. (SR 707A)
  • Palmetto Ave. 


During the testing period, flaggers will be present at all crossings listed above. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists should be aware that rail traffic will run on BOTH tracks in BOTH directions. Failure to follow the law could result in fines, points on your license or loss of life. Testing is expected to bring additional wait times at railroad crossings.

“If the crossing arms are down, don’t drive around,” said Joe Meade, director of safety at Brightline. “This testing serves as a critical reminder to the public to be safe around active railroad tracks and obey all traffic laws. Never stop on the tracks, don’t drive around crossing gates and only cross tracks at a designated railroad crossing.” 

The 110-mph testing, in preparation for opening to Orlando in 2023, will occur in phases along the 129-mile rail corridor between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, through Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard Counties. Brightline has made crucial safety improvements at all 156 railroad crossings along the corridor. At the crossings in this testing area all safety improvements have been installed.  Those improvements vary per crossing, but may include new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings and roadway profiles. Where trains will operate at 110 mph, all crossings have quad gates or medians to prevent motorists from driving around lowered crossing gates. 

The public is encouraged to sign up for Brightline text alert updates for the latest information on high-speed testing schedules in their area: Text “RR110” to 888-304-0037.

Brightline is working closely with community partners, government agencies and news media to spread the word and highlight rail safety via multiple channels including on social media and with public service announcements. 

3/24/2022

MAYOR YOUNG INTERVIEWS BRIGHTLINE

Mayor Molly Young met with Brightline's representatives Katie Mitzner and Scott Dean to discuss the impacts of the construction on the Loxahatchee River Railroad Drawbridge.  Watch our video.  

Updated 1/23/2023

Railroad Crossings / Lane Closures


Jupiter – Riverside Dr. and Alternate A1A

Daytime flagging operations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to move materials for bridge construction, continuing through early 2023. Crossings may be closed briefly (1-2 minutes) as trucks enter and exit the right of way. For more information, please contact Katie Mizner at (407) 502-3587 or via email. 

 Jupiter – Loxahatchee River

Daytime bridge work operations, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday, continuing through early 2023 for bridge construction. For more information, please contact Katie Mizner at (407) 502-3587 or via email.  

 Palm Beach County 

Continuous Flagging Operations and Train Testing up to 79 MPH through 7 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2023

 Tequesta

Tequesta Drive

 Jupiter

  • County Line Rd.
  • Riverside Dr. 
  • Center St. (SR A1A)
  • Indiantown Rd. (SR 706)
  • Toney Penna Dr.

Additional Safety Message:

 BRIGHTLINE TRAINS COMPLETE TESTING SCHEDULE BEGINS OCT. 15 IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Brightline, will be testing its full operating train schedule between West Palm Beach and Miami starting this week as it gears up to return to service this November. The public will continue to see increased train traffic on the rail corridor as Brightline nears its relaunch date. Prior to the restart of operations, Brightline is implementing additional safety measures, including the temporary installation of Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) at high trafficked crossings and the deployment of safety ambassadors throughout the community.

Brightline trains will operate at FRA-approved and authorized top speeds of 79 miles per hour along the entire 67-mile corridor. In light of this, Brightline is reminding the public, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists to make safe choices around trains and crossings. The safety message is simple: look, listen, live. Drivers and pedestrians should obey all traffic laws around crossings and never stop on the tracks. Pedestrians should remain alert and aware when near railroad tracks and only cross the tracks at a designated railroad crossing.

Key safety tips from Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness about rail safety:

  • The train you see is closer and faster-moving than you think. 
  • Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly.
  • Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. 
  • Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. 
  • If your vehicle ever stalls on the tracks, get out and get away from the tracks, even if you do not see a train. Locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number provided, telling them about the stalled vehicle. 
  • At a multiple-track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
  • When you need to cross train tracks, go to a designated crossing, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail.
  • ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN! 

Trains will be adhering to quiet zones throughout testing and will not sound horns in designated areas unless there is construction occurring or an emergency situation.

 

Updated 9/21/2021

 

Palm Beach County

Brightline Takes Critical Step Forward on Path for Service to Orlando


ORLANDO, Fla. (September 21, 2021) – Brightline’s construction team is taking a critical step forward next week, beginning Saturday, September 25 toward the completion of its high-speed rail system. Brightline will conduct work, known as a signal and track cutover, along 13 miles of track in Palm Beach County, which will integrate a new second railroad track into the existing rail corridor. The work will spread across 17 railroad crossings between West Palm Beach and Jupiter and could bring additional wait times. Flaggers will be present at these crossings (listed below) while the new rail signal system is commissioned. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that once the second track is commissioned, freight traffic could run on BOTH tracks.

Brightline is reminding the public, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists to make safe choices around trains and crossings, obey all traffic laws around crossings and never stop on the tracks! Remain alert and aware when near railroad tracks and only cross the tracks at a railroad crossing. The safety message is simple: look, listen, live. 

We encourage press to post on social media to alert the public on Brightline’s work.  Brightline will be posting announcements on its social channels as well: Twitter and Instagram. 

The following information is also available on the Brightline website,  Questions can be directed to Katie Mitzner, Brightline Director of Public Affairs at katie.mitzner@gobrightline.com or 407-502-3587.


About Brightline

Brightline is the first privately funded passenger rail system in America in over a century and was recognized by Fast Company as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel. Brightline is designed to reinvent travel and take cars off the road by connecting city pairs and congested corridors that are too close to fly and too long to drive. Providing fast, efficient, hospitality-driven transportation featuring the latest in customer-friendly amenities, Brightline currently operates in Florida between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with plans to develop new stations in Boca Raton, Aventura and Port Miami. Construction to Orlando is underway and will be complete in late 2022. Brightline West, which will connect Las Vegas and Southern California, is shovel ready and expect to launch service in 2024.