After four years of planning and construction, Brightline’s long awaited high speed railway from Miami to Orlando is ready for testing.
Brightline began its project with the short distance from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. The 67-mile route that linked the two cities launched in 2018 and the company has finally completed phase two, expansion to central Florida.
The new intercity railway stretches across 170 miles and is set to run at 110 mph, passing through eight different counties in total.
The first batch of test runs began today and will continue throughout the week, the first train departed from West Palm Beach and these trains will be operating within Martin County and St. Lucie County. The 11-mile section of tracks within these counties will pass through Skyline Drive, Jensen Beach Boulevard, Walton Road, and other crossings.
These test runs are the first at full speed but the train will not be going at that speed throughout the entire stretch. The brakes also need to be tested in order for the train to be cleared for operation.
There are several precautions that have been set in place to ensure safety of the residents in these counties including pedestrians, drivers, and workers. They will have training for crossing guards and include flaggers as well as deputies at every crossing within Martin County and St. Lucie County.
The residents of South Florida are going to be directly affected by this new innovation. While there are some people that have concerns regarding a high speed train along the coast of Florida others are welcoming an additional form of transportation.
Many students await the opening of the high speed train since it is going to connect two of the most important cities in Florida. This train is going to be more accessible and practical than many other alternative forms of transportation.
“I’m all for anything that improves the overall standard of living for the residents of Florida and I’m looking forward to riding on this new method of transportation in the near future,” said Bryan Sanchez, a senior in the Global Studies strand.
The high speed train is going to provide a fast and easy way for people to travel from the vibrant city of Miami to the lively city of Orlando. Students and young adults are excited for this route because of the popular destinations on both ends of the railway. Orlando has gained a lot of traction in the past few years, and the high speed train serves as a bonus factor that will benefit the city and the rest of the state.
“The City of Orlando is excited to welcome Brightline to Central Florida. This new higher speed rail service will serve as an important connector between south and central Florida as we continue to expand our transit options and work to ensure reliable transportation is available for everyone who wants to live, work, or visit Orlando,” said Buddy Dyer, the mayor of Orlando, on the Brightline website.
Brightline set the testing to last until the end of this year and the high speed train is scheduled to open early in 2023. In the meantime, the train is on track to pass all safety precautions and requirements for its grand opening.
