Treasure Coast - Sunday January 1, 2023: Brightline’ will resume testing at maximum speeds of up to 110 mph through the Treasure Coast on Friday, January 6. It will last through the month of January.
The testing is taking place along an 11-mile section of track in Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Flaggers and law enforcement will be present at each of the five railroad crossings where the trains will operate at high speeds.
Brightline began high speed testing in the Treasure Coast in October, and they have also completed 79 mph testing through St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard Counties, all in preparation for opening passenger rail service to Orlando in 2023. The 110 mph testing is occurring in phases along the 129-mile rail corridor between West Palm Beach and Cocoa. That speed is the fastest any train has traveled in the state of Florida.
Testing is expected to bring additional wait times. Residents should follow the law around all active railroad tracks.
Important Safety Reminders:
- Residents should be alert and follow the law around active railroad tracks and railroad crossings.
- Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists should be aware that rail traffic will run on BOTH tracks in BOTH directions.
- Stay off the tracks and never go around crossing gates.
- Failure to follow the law could result in fines, points on your license or loss of life.
High Speed Testing Up to Speeds of 110 MPH
7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday, January 6 through Monday, January 23
Flaggers and law enforcement will be present at the following railroad crossings where trains will operate at high speeds.
St. Lucie County
- Walton Rd.
- Riverview Dr.
Martin County
- County Line Rd.
- Skyline Dr. (CR 722)
- Pitchford Landing
Brightline has released a new video featuring the 110 mph testing and highlighting the safety improvements at crossings throughout the testing corridor.
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
Brightline has made crucial safety improvements at all 156 railroad crossings along the corridor. At the crossings in the testing areas 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 888-384-0037.
Brightline has launched a new safety website which includes updated safety content, PSA’s and a virtual pledge.
About Brightline: Brightline currently serves Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, with stations in Aventura and Boca Raton opening at the end of 2022. The Orlando station will begin service in 2023.
Brightline also plans to bring its service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive. Plans are currently in the works to connect Las Vegas to Southern California.
For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com.