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Brightline Orlando extension


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#91 CNJRoss

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 08:30 AM

WPTV West Palm Beach, FL 4/15/23

 
Brightline plans St. Lucie bridge closings for modifications starting Sunday

 

Coast Guard approved 21-day period blocking boast access in February

 

 

PALM CITY, Fla. — Brightline will begin work on the St. Lucie River County bridge with nightly closings affecting freight traffic beginning Sunday and a subsequent 21-day period in the down position affecting vessels in May.

 

In February, the U.S. Coast Guard approved the private railroad service's request for temporary modification to drawbridge operations to rehabilitate the 98-year-old railroad bridge that currently is being used for occasional freight service.

 

The bridge work is part of plans begin passenger-rail service this year between Miami and Orlando International Airport. Brightline hopes to have 32 trains a day crossing the bridge.

 

 

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#92 CNJRoss

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Posted 20 April 2023 - 01:58 PM

Brightline news release

 

BRIGHTLINE UNVEILS ORLANDO PASSENGER RAIL STATION

 

Apr 20, 2023

 

Ticket Sales to Begin Next Month With Fares Starting at $79

 

MEDIA KIT

B-ROLL

 

Orlando, Fla. (April 20, 2023) - Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, today, unveiled its highly anticipated Brightline Orlando Station at Orlando International Airport (MCO). With Brightline’s signature yellow and spacious lounges, the station is the perfect backdrop for a new era of passenger rail that will connect two of the fastest growing regions in the state: Central and South Florida. Brightline also announced that Orlando ticket sales will launch in May for future dates, with one-way fares starting at $79 for SMART and $149 for PREMIUM. SMART fare bundles for families of four will be available for less than $199 one way.

 

More than 300 invited guests took part in the Brightline Orlando Station reveal, the latest milestone moment for Brightline and transportation in America. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Kevin Thibault joined Brightline CEO Mike Reininger, President Patrick Goddard and Brightline teammates to celebrate the historic occasion. Brightline Orlando Station was met with glowing reviews as elected officials, dignitaries and community leaders, including the tourism and hospitality sectors, stepped inside the first intercity passenger rail station of its kind, located in the heart of an American airport.

 

Brightline Orlando Station Experience

The new station is meticulously designed and built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. The 37,350 square foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes. Transportation and mobility options at the Orlando Station include Brightline’s first and last-mile service, Brightline+, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor.

 

 

The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening tunnel.

 

Once through the security tunnel, guests are greeted by an expansive two-story station space, featuring world-class amenities Brightline is known for, including:

  • Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and light bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platforms where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart.
  • Above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, split-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the split-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day and other announcements complete with sounds reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America.
  • MRKT PLACE is a retail experience with convenient in-station shopping for last-minute gifts, sundries and refreshments.
  • Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service includes complimentary meals, snacks and beverages, a dedicated first class lounge, free checked luggage, priority boarding and a dedicated coach.
  • Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a BrightKids children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.

 

Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevator to first level platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and can accommodate a train with up to 10 coaches and two locomotives.

 

Orlando to South Florida Train Schedule Details

Brightline’s Orlando expansion is an essential piece of the boldest, private infrastructure project in the nation, connecting millions of riders between Central and South Florida. Service will begin in Summer 2023 and will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Brightline’s non-stop trains have a run time between Miami and Orlando of two hours and 59 minutes. Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura with a run time of three hours and 30 minutes. Additional details of Brightline’s opening schedule include:

 

Weekdays

  • Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
  • First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
  • Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 6:50 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
  • First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 10:15 a.m.

 

Weekends

  • Hourly southbound departures from Orlando to Miami starting at 5:00 a.m. until 8:50 p.m.
  • First southbound train from Orlando arrives in Miami at 8:30 a.m.
  • Hourly northbound departures from Miami to Orlando starting at 5:45 a.m. until 9:45 p.m.
  • First northbound train from Miami arrives in Orlando at 9:15 a.m.

 

Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.

 

The Brightline Orlando Station Design Team

Brightline Orlando Station is designed by Bigtime Design Studios, an architecture firm based out of Miami that also designed the newly-opened Brightline stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, alongside the architect of record Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner. The buildout of the station is led by Orlando-based contractor Gomez Construction Co., a minority-owned business, that employed more than 100 workers on this project.

 

Earlier this year, Brightline made history as the fastest train in the Southeast, reaching speeds of 130 mph and unveiled the most advanced train maintenance facility in the country, Basecamp. Brightline Orlando Station is located at 10705 Jeff Fuqua Blvd. South, Orlando FL 32827. For more information on Brightline Orlando, visit www.gobrightline.com/Orlando.

 

QUOTES

 

BRIGHTLINE QUOTES

 

Today's milestone is the last piece of transformative infrastructure that is now complete as we ready ourselves for the start of the service we have been building for a decade. This station will be a gateway for visitors and travelers throughout Florida, but beyond that, it is indicative of how we set out to transform travel in a way that hasn’t been done in more than a century. We’re proud to start this journey in Florida and rejuvenated in our belief that the time is now to accomplish this in other parts of the country.” - Mike Reininger, CEO of Brightline

 

“Brightline’s Orlando Station sets a new benchmark for travel that establishes a seamless, convenient and comfortable experience built for today’s modern traveler. The station is packed with amenities for future guests and has an encompassing sense of arrival from the moment you enter. We’ve curated an experience well beyond time-savings and we can’t wait to welcome guests onboard.” – Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline

 

MAYORS’ QUOTES

 

"As a lifelong Central Floridian, it made me proud to see the advancement of our community today as our true multimodal hub becomes a reality and we celebrate the Brightline Orlando Station and soon to come train service to our international airport. This station represents so much more than a new train service, it is a critical connection for our community to jobs and opportunity and further showcases the power of partnerships and what our culture of collaboration here in Central Florida can do to improve the lives of our residents, workers and travelers when we work together.” - Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

 

“I had the pleasure of meeting many Brightline employees today who will be part of the Orange County team. I also had many conversations with business and community leaders that reinforced the transformative economic impact Brightline Orlando Station will have on the entire region. Thousands of workers in Orlando alone have contributed to Brightline construction. However, I am excited about 175 workers in particular, who learned new skills from our local colleges and on the job, will start their careers at this station and nearby Basecamp, Brightline’s train maintenance facility.” - Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings

 

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION QUOTE

 

“The Federal Railroad Administration is committed to growing a safer, cleaner, more equitable rail system. We know investments in passenger rail mean more efficient travel for riders, more economic development in towns and cities, less congestion on our roads, and less pollution in our air. The City of Orlando and surrounding communities will benefit from the new travel options and opportunities that come with this new rail station, and we applaud today's investment in passenger rail.” - FRA Administrator Amit Bose

 

GREATER ORLANDO AVIATION AUTHORITY (GOAA) QUOTE

 

“When Brightline begins its comfortable rail passenger service at Orlando International Airport, it will improve mobility between two of the state’s bustling regions and Orlando International will be the only airport in the nation with an intercity high-speed passenger rail station. Passengers who arrive or depart from Orlando International will have another option to connect to and from South Florida, bringing to fruition a multimodal vision first embraced in the airport’s original design criteria decades ago. We’re excited to be partners with Brightline for this transformative moment in transportation.” - Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

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#93 KevinKorell

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Posted 25 April 2023 - 04:51 PM



Kevin Korell


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#94 CNJRoss

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Posted 01 May 2023 - 11:07 AM

Trains News Wire

 
Businesses sue to block drawbridge plan to accommodate Brightline service

 

May 1, 2023

 

Marine firms fear losses if openings of St. Lucie River drawbridge are limited

 

STUART, Fla. — A group of marine businesses in Martin County, Fla., are suing to block a request to alter operating plans for a drawbridge over the St. Lucie River to allow for operation of Brightline passenger trains between Orlando and Miami.

 

The TC Palm newspaper reports the 13 businesses filed suit Friday in federal court in Philadelphia against the U.S. Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Brightline route owner Florida East Coast Railway. At issue is Brightline’s request to keep the drawbridge closed up to 45 minutes every hour between 5 a.m. and 9:45 p.m. to allow up to 32 passenger trains to pass, along with up to 24 freight trains that use the route daily.

 

The suit seeks to have the drawbridge plan declared an unlawful obstruction of a navigable waterway,  . . .

 

 

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#95 CNJRoss

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Posted 11 June 2023 - 10:32 PM

Railroad to Disney... or REEDY CREEK? - Brightline 2023 Mega Update

 

Mickey Views

 

Jun 6, 2023
 

We delve into the latest progress on Brightline's intercity passenger rail project which will ultimately connect Miami to the Orlando International Airport and Tampa. An ongoing battle between Orlando business interests will determine if the route through the city connects Brightline to Universal's Epic Universe via the Sunshine Corridor or if Brightline instead explores a Walt Disney World station.

 



#96 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 June 2023 - 08:35 AM

Trains News Wire

 

Brightline testing in Martin County postponed

 

| June 20, 2023

 

No new date set for tests in area including St. Lucie River drawbridge

 

STUART, Fla. — Brightline high speed testing in Florida’s Martin County, which had been scheduled for later this week, has been postponed, the passenger operator said today (Tuesday, June 20).

 

Testing had been scheduled for Wednesday, June 21, through Friday, June 23, at speeds up to 110 mph through a series of grade crossings, as well as at the St. Lucie River drawbridge.  . . .

 

 

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Related Post:  Railroad bridge begins new temporary opening schedule affecting Brightline and boaters



#97 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 June 2023 - 04:10 PM

Trains News Wire

Brightline celebrates completion of Orlando route construction

 

By Bob Johnston | June 21, 2023

 

Event celebrates ‘vision’ behind private passenger operation

 

TRN_Brightline_ceremony_Johnston.jpgBrightline employees are joined by mayors of the five cities served by the passenger operator for the “Bright Spike” ceremony commemorating the completion of construction at the Orlando International Airport station on June 21, 2023. Bob Johnston

 

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — With a display of civic support from mayors along its route, Brightline has celebrated completion of construction on its route to Orlando, as well as the contribution its employees have made in forging a unique passenger rail operation.

 

The event today (Wednesday, June 21) at Brightline’s Orlando International Airport station comes as crew qualification runs continue on the 125-mph sealed right-of-way between Orlando and Cocoa, Fla., along with train-control testing on the newly completed Florida East Coast Railway double track south to West Palm Beach.

 

It also came on the same day the U.S. Coast Guard was to implement scheduled, twice-hourly bridge openings at the single-track bridge St. Lucie River at Stuart, Fla. [see “Coast Guard bridge plan ignores practices elsewhere …,” Trains News Wire, June 18, 2023]. That schedule has the potential to pose major issues for Brightline’s operating plans.

 

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#98 CNJRoss

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Posted 14 August 2023 - 07:48 AM

First 110mph Brightline Test Trains in Brevard County

 

The Roaming Railfan

 

Aug 11, 2023

 

This Brightline construction update looks at the start of 110mph testing along the Florida East Coast Railway corridor in Brevard County. This testing stretched from CP Cocoa to CP Micco. Testing began at 79mph before increasing to 110mph. The testing occurred over three days although this video only covers the first two days. This testing is one of the final steps needing to be completed prior to passenger rail service to Orlando beginning.

 

79mph Runs

00:48 Eau Gallie River (Melbourne)

01:36 Shell Pit Road (Grant/Valkaria)

2:45 Hessey Ave (former Palm Bay South)

3:39 North of Shell Pit Road (Grant/Valkaria)

 

Higher Speed Runs

4:35 Suntree Blvd (Suntree/Viera)

5:17 Gus Hipp Blvd (Rockledge)

6:50 Eau Gallie River (Melbourne)

7:37 Turkey Creek (Palm Bay)

8:13 Barnes Blvd & CP Bonaventure (Rockeldge)

9:16 Suntree Blvd (Suntree/Viera)

 

This was filmed on August 7-8, 2023

 

 






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