BRIGHTLINE

With the higher speed railroad beginning test runs of 79 mph in Central Florida, Brightline and police are asking the public to be careful when approaching crossings.

Brightline will add a second track to railroad crossings in Brevard County. (Brightline)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brightline construction team will continue to make headway on its Orlando extension. A second railroad track will be added to the corridor, which is known as a signal-and-track cutover. Both drivers and pedestrians should be aware that after the second track is commissioned, trains could operate at this high speed and run on either of the tracks at any time. VIDEO: Brightline’s International Drive, Universal stop secured by new funding, company officials say The long battle between Brightline and Universal Studios about the fate of the company’s Central Florida service appears to have ended.

Starting Sunday, Brightline crews will ramp up test runs along a portion of newly double-tracked rail corridor in Brevard County — with trains accelerating up to 79 mph, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.

VIDEO: Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengersORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Brightline has plans or is considering a number of train stations in Orlando and beyond. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 29 Brightline trainIn the meantime, Brightline is preparing for stops along its existing corridor, as well as a future expansion from Orlando International Airport to Tampa. Read: Marburg: What you need to know about the deadly virus seen in GhanaClick here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Video: OIA awarded $50M in federal funds to enhance Terminal C OIA has been awarded $50 million for its expansion of the new 15-gate terminal.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Universal Parks & Resorts theme parks, including Universal Orlando Resort, seems to be finding a way to recreate wizarding duels from the world of Harry Potter. Read: What’s next for Brightline now that Disney stop is no more? For example, an immersive area may be designed for use with a handheld prop or object that enables a guest to perform actions, such as swinging a sword or throwing a ball. VIDEO: Brightline’s International Drive, Universal stop secured by new funding, company officials say The long battle between Brightline and Universal Studios about the fate of the company’s Central Florida service appears to have ended.

Private High-Speed Rail Service Brightline Announces Its Service To Start Next Week MIAMI, FL - MAY 11: The Brightline train is seen at the new MiamiCentral terminal during the inaugural trip from Miami to West Palm Beach on May 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. Brightline welcomed the media, politicians and other dignitaries to ride on the inaugural trip for the privately funded passenger train which is running from Miami to West Palm Beach with one stop in Fort Lauderdale. Brightline still plans for a station near Walt Disney World -- even if the theme park is no longer involved. The Miami-based intercity rail provider confirmed it still has plans for a South International Drive station after Disney said it is no longer going to have one at Disney Springs, the shopping/dining/entertainment complex on property. VIDEO: Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers©2022 Cox Media Group

East Melbourne Avenue in Melbourne has reopened to traffic after a year-long closure while Brightline made improvements to the Crane Creek railroad bridge and roadway, according to Brightline.

The Orange County School Board approved a contract with the Classroom Teachers Association that will increase salaries for teachers and other school staff.

Brightline will no longer have a station at Disney Springs as part of its 320-milehigher-speed passenger train service stretching from Miami to Orlando to Tampa Bay, railway officials said in a statement.

A planned Disney Springs station is no more

(Nick Papantonis, WFTV.com/WFTV)ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Walt Disney World’s (NYSE: DIS) plans for a Brightline high-speed rail station have derailed. READ: Here’s how much Florida gas prices have fallen in the past 2 weeksA representative with Disney confirmed to Orlando Business Journal that the plans for a station, announced in 2019, to connect to the multibillion-dollar Brightline project are no more. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. VIDEO: Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers©2022 Cox Media Group

Disney announced today that the Brightline rail station project that was planned to open at Disney Springs, has now been cancelled. The Brightline high-speed rail station was originally set to connect guests from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney Springs. “As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” Maehrer said. The route originally was designed to bypass Orlando and go straight to Walt Disney World from Orlando Internationally Airport (MCO) before following I-4 to Tampa. Due to this change in plans from Brightline, Disney has pulled the plug on the new project that was originally slated to be complete in 2026.

VIDEO: Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengers Brightline trains to chug along by holidays, but without passengersORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Brightline is creeping closer to debuting a new way of speeding through Florida as gas prices continue to climb. The company is working to build a high-speed rail service between Central Florida and South Florida, but those trains will run empty for a while. SEE: Brightline high-speed train arrives at new OIA station for the first timeOfficials said the train will be chugging along by the holidays, but it won’t have any passengers on board. READ: Gas prices in Florida continue to break recordsLast month, Brightline brought one of its trains into the Orlando International Airport station. READ: Construction of new wildlife underpass underway on I-4VIDEO: Brightline’s International Drive, Universal stop secured by new funding, company officials say The long battle between Brightline and Universal Studios about the fate of the company’s Central Florida service appears to have ended.

Traveling to Tampa just got a little bit easier. The U.S. Department of Transportation Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program allotted a $15,875,000 grant for a Brightline extension connecting Orlando International Airport to Tampa. AdvertisementThe money is set to help fund preliminary engineering activities and environmental approvals that are needed to build the rail system. The project has a total funding of $31,750,000. TWITTER SOCIALTRAVELERS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO SKIP I-4 TRAFFICBrightline was awarded $15,875,000 to begin work on connecting Orlando and Tampa.

The plan to connect Orland to Tampa is en route. Yesterday the House of Representatives for the State of Florida issued a grant of $15.8...

VIDEO: Brightline’s International Drive, Universal stop secured by new funding, company officials say The long battle between Brightline and Universal Studios about the fate of the company’s Central Florida service appears to have ended. “The Sunshine Corridor is a comprehensive, ambitious transportation solution for Central Florida. It represents the missing link in Brightline’s plan to connect Orlando and Tampa with modern, eco-friendly, intercity passenger rail,” Brightline CEO Michael Reininger said in the release. — Brightline (@GoBrightline) June 1, 2022READ: Central Florida church leaders gather to address recent deadly shootingsThe outcome is seen as a win for all interested parties. Brightline service between OIA and South Florida is on track to begin in 2023.

VIDEO: SEE: Brightline high-speed train arrives at new OIA station for the first time Brightline high-speed train arrives at new OIA station for the first timeORLANDO, Fla. — For the first time, Brightline drove one of its trains into the new station at Orlando International Airport. While there were no passengers on board this time, it was an important step toward bringing passengers into the airport. The high-speed train that’s already been running in South Florida is set to bring passengers from West Palm Beach through Brevard County and across to OIA sometime next year. READ: Boeing Starliner ready for Thursday launchThe train, named Bright Blue 2, has been in Orlando since February. READ: ‘C’ you soon: Here’s when Terminal C at OIA opensThe project in Orlando is about 80% complete.

Brightline will begin carrying passengers from Orlando to Miami in 2023.

(Jeff Deal, WFTV.com)ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. The Volusia County Council on May 3 unanimously approved sending a letter to the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission asking for more involvement in discussion of the proposed SunRail/Brightline corridor. SunRail could connect with Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Convention Center and Walt Disney World, while Brightline would lease the route and connect to Tampa. The rail commission -- a governing board for SunRail of which Volusia County is a member -- is set to meet May 5 and will have a workshop discussion on the potential expansion. Read: Vicky White fired from corrections job, still no sign of her or escaped felon Casey White©2022 Cox Media Group

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Central Florida Employment Council announced it will be holding it Small Business Hiring Event on April 14. The event is being held in partnership with the Center For Business Development at Seminole State College and is open to all job seekers. Read: Stetson Math Professor and Master Chef organizes fundraising dinner for Ukraine humanitarian reliefThe event will be from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Seminole State College Building C on Weldon Boulevard in Sanford. Read: Brightline: Orlando high-speed rail extension will be fully American-madeYou can find more information and register for the event here. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Brightline has passed another milestone for its $2.7 billion, 170-mile extension between Orlando International Airport and West Palm Beach. The work comes as Brightline completed a 3.5-mile segment near Orlando International Airport in February, the first segment of the project to wrap up construction. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website. Read: 6-year-old among two hurt in Orlando shootingExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 29 Brightline train©2022 Cox Media Group

Authorities say a higher-speed train struck and killed a pedestrian in South Florida.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Authorities say a Brightline train struck and killed a pedestrian, raising the death toll since the higher-speed train line resumed operations in South Florida. News outlets say police in Hollywood, Florida, are investigating the death. Brightline has the worst fatality rate in the nation, according to an ongoing Associated Press analysis of Federal Railroad Administration data that began in 2019. Its trains have fatally struck 59 people since beginning test runs in 2017, an average of about one death every 33,000 miles (about 53,000 kilometers). Read: Southwest passengers stranded at OIA after winter weather causes flight cancellationsThe Associated Press contributed to this article.

Authorities say a Brightline train struck and killed a pedestrian, raising the death toll since the higher-speed train line resumed operations in South Florida. News outlets say police in Hollywood, Florida, are investigating the death. The collision late Saturday happened a short distance from a homeless shelter in Hollywood where there are no intersections for pedestrians for a half-mile, but there are small no trespassing signs by the tracks.

Authorities in Florida say a Brightline train killed a man who walked onto the tracks.

The option to take a high-speed train from Orlando to Miami will soon become a reality.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Two people were hurt after a helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Miami Beach. READ: Person killed by Brightline train in Florida; fourth incident in 6 daysPolice said the incident happened around 1:10 p.m. near 10th Street. Several agencies, including Miami Beach Police Department and Miami Beach Fire Department, responded to the scene. Video from the beach shows crowds looking on as the victims were rescued from the ocean. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — A person was fatally struck by a Brightline train in South Florida early Saturday, authorities said. >> Read more trending newsPolice in Delray Beach confirmed the death, WPTV-TV reported. On Wednesday, Brightline released a video showing a car deliberately driving around railroad gates and onto the tracks before being hit by a train. Early Tuesday, a woman and baby were unharmed when their car drove through a dead-end in Delray Beach and onto the railroad tracks. Brightline trains travel up to 79 mph through 70 miles of densely populated areas between Miami and West Palm Beach, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. — Brightline, a high-speed rail system in Florida, released video Wednesday showing a car deliberately driving around railroad gates and onto the tracks before being hit by a train. In the video, the gates are down when the driver clearly goes around them, and the train splits the driver’s car in two. A Brightline train hit a car Tuesday morning in Delray Beach, WPTV reported. In that case, a mother and baby were able to escape before the car was hit. A third incident Sunday, also in Lake Worth Beach, killed one person, WPTV reported.

A woman was able to save herself and her 3-month-old daughter from getting struck by a Brightline train in South Florida after her car got stuck on the tracks, authorities said.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida’s first Brightline train has officially arrived in Orlando. It is one of 10 train sets that will serve Brightline’s Orlando extension, which is set to open in early 2023. The train, Bright Blue 2, arrived at Brightline’s brand new vehicle maintenance facility south of Orlando International Airport on Tuesday. The train set traveled across 10 states and a total of 3,000 plus miles to get here from Sacramento. READ: Brightline begins running trains on new rail system, paving way to connect Central, South Florida“It’s phenomenal for all of us that have been working on this project for so long,” said Michael Cegelis with Brightline.

A stretch of King Street just west of U.S. 1 will be closed through next week as crews add upgrades to the existing railroad crossing.

Train fatality: A man was killed after being struck by a Brightline train as he attempted to cross the tracks. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A man attempting to cross railroad tracks in South Florida was killed Thursday night when he was struck by a high-speed commuter train, authorities said. The man attempted to cross the tracks as the Brightline train was coming, Hollywood Police Department Officer Christian Lata told the newspaper. Man fatally hit by Brightline train as he attempted to cross tracks, police say https://t.co/jMuHnUFhC4 pic.twitter.com/YxuMCfc5sJ — South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) January 28, 2022On Dec. 30, 2021, two people were killed when their car collided with a Brightline train in Aventura as the driver tried to make it around the crossing gate. >> 2 killed in Florida when train hits car going around crossing gateOn Jan. 13, two people were hospitalized after a Brightline train collided with an SUV in Miami, WSVN-TV reported.

Readers share their views on higher-speed rail limits; highway traffic enforcement; rising inflation; and deconstructing DeSantis' message

The first Brightline train entered Brevard County for a practice run Tuesday between South Florida and the Orlando airport.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sunday will be partly cloudy and warm across Central Florida. Temperatures will reach the low 80s on Sunday, which is about 10 degrees above average. Our next cold front moves in late Monday evening. We could see scattered showers and storms Monday afternoon. Read: Police investigate after man found dead inside Orlando home that caught fireTuesday will be cooler with highs in the 60s.

Construction of Brightline's 169-mile passenger train extension from South Florida to Orlando is chugging along with multiple full-road closures planned for this week.

Police say two people died when a higher speed commuter train hit their car as the driver tried to make it around the crossing gate near Miami.

Officials say a train belonging to Florida’s higher speed passenger rail service hit a car that went around railroad crossing gates near Miami.

AVENTURA, Fla. — (AP) — Two people died when a higher speed commuter train hit their car as the driver tried to make it around the crossing gate, police said. The crossing gate’s lights were flashing and bells were ringing to signal an approaching train on Thursday morning when the car tried to make it through, police and Brightline train officials said. “This was a tragic event and the direct result of an individual driving around the gates which were down, flashing and bells ringing, signaling an approaching train,” Brightline said in a statement. A man who was walking on the tracks in North Miami Beach died when he was struck by a Brightline train earlier this month. It was at least the 49th involving a Brightline train since the Miami to West Palm Beach line launched in mid-2017.

A train belonging to Florida’s higher-speed passenger rail service struck and killed a man walking on the tracks just weeks after the company reopened from the pandemic.

While expansion to Orlando International Airport has been underway for years, there was no guarantee that MCO's embiggening would be completed post-pandemic. Last year, at...

Officials say a Brightline commuter train hit a car carrying a woman and her grandchild on the higher-speed line’s first day back in operation since the coronavirus pandemic began.

People on the Space Coast heard a train move through the area Thursday night.

Brightline hopes to launch higher-speed passenger train service along an $8 billion, 320-mile rail network stretching from Miami to Orlando to Tampa Bay.

BIG CYPRESS, Fla. — (AP) — Three endangered Florida panthers were killed by separate vehicle strikes earlier this week, officials said. That makes 18 panther deaths attributed to fatal collisions out of 24 total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Also Tuesday, the remains of a 10-year-old female were found just north of Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County. WATCH: ‘It’s dangerous’: Photo shows local students forced to sit on floor in jam-packed school busFlorida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.

Months of roadblocks, detours and fears of lost customers are impacting small businesses bordering Brightline's future railroad bridge through downtown.

Despite last year’s unprecedented shutdown of the cruise industry, Disney is pushing forward with its plans to add three new ships in the coming years....

ORLANDO, Fla. — A high speed rail will soon connect South Florida to the Orlando International Airport. However, Brightline Trains are facing pushback on its proposal to expand to Tampa using the right of way along State Road 417 with a stop at Disney in between. “It seems almost unconscionable to consider such a route when there’s an alternate, primarily industrial corridor down the 528,” said Hunter’s Creek resident Ruthanne Connor-King. Brightline has said that it will listen to other proposals, but believes that route will cost an additional $1 billion. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your smart TV.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A decision that will impact transportation for decades in the state is now on the table here in Central Florida. Residents from the Hunter’s Creek community expressed concerns about noise, dust and an impact on property values, because the preferred route by Brightline goes along the 417 near thousands of homes in that community. Brightline said it’s willing to look at other options, but believes the 528 route would add an extra $1.1 billion to the cost of the project. That’s money Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the county isn’t prepared to handle. READ: Disney, Brightline mull where to put train stop at Disney Springs, sources sayThat means other public or private money would have to come into play.

Resembling a misplaced aircraft hanger, a 600-foot-long curved concrete structure is taking shape off State Road 528 near Canaveral Groves.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline, the commuter train they currently serves South Florida but will soon make a stop in Orlando, is poised to be one of the major beneficiaries of the new Seminole tribe gaming compact. While there will be no expansion of gambling in Central Florida, the Seminole tribe will be allowed to expand in South Florida. In addition parimutuels in South Florida will be allowed to move locations. Brightline Holdings LLC is owned by Fortress Investment which also has investments in other gaming enterprises including Penn National Gaming. Together, these routes will remove more than a half million tons of CO2 emissions annually by eliminating 7.6 million vehicle trips.”

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Brightline says it’s more than halfway done with construction to bring the high-speed rail service to Orlando. The vehicle maintenance facility, near Orlando International Airport, will serve 16 trains a day and bring in dozens of new jobs. READ: Brightline urged to include I-Drive, Convention Center stops along high-speed railway to TampaOn Wednesday, Brightline officials said there’s major progress on the high-speed rail system set to connect South Florida to the Orlando International Airport, which is set to start sometime next year. After that, the rail system is planned to connect to Tampa, but questions remain about the route. READ: Disney, Brightline mull where to put train stop at Disney Springs, sources sayFor the next leg, which would connect Orlando to Tampa with a stop in Disney, there are two options: one along State Road 417 and the other along State Road 528, which could cost $1 billion more.

to SR-524, travel east on SR-524/Clearlake Road & follow south to SR-520 to US-1 & travel north to US-1 to access eastbound SR-528. Westbound SR-528 traffic will be directed to exit at US-1 (Exit 46), travel south on US-1 to SR-520 to Clearlake Road, travel north on Clearlake Road to Industry Road and travel north on Industry Road to access westbound SR-528. traffic wishing to travel east on SR-528 will be directe4d to travel south on Industry Rd. to SR-524, travel east on SR-524 to Clearlake Road, travel south on Clearlake Road to SR-520, travel east on SR-520 to US-1 & travel north on US-1 to access eastbound SR-528. East SR-528 exit ramp to north US-1 (Exit 46)Full ramp closure, 10 p.m., Sunday, March 14 to 5 a.m., Tuesday, March 30.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The president of Brightline Trains met with transportation leaders in Orlando on Wednesday to discuss the company’s expansion project through Central Florida. Patrick Goddard was the guest speaker at the Alliance for Regional Transportation Education Series, which was held at the site of Brightline’s future station at Orlando International Airport. “This is a very diverse market and it is a perfect market for intercity passenger rail,” Goddard said. Goddard said station is an important stop in what will eventually connect Orlando to the west coast of Florida. A time frame for the Tampa extension hasn’t been announced, but the extension to Orlando International Airport is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2022.

Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced an agreement Monday to build a train station at Disney Springs. The station would allow “convenient travel” between Walt Disney World and several Brightline planned stations at Orlando International Airport, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, a news release said. Brightline officials said that the expansion from West Palm Beach to OIA is on track and should be completed in 2022. “Our mission has always been to connect our guests to the people and places that matter, and Walt Disney World Resort is a tremendous example of this.”Travelers can expect the proposed Disney Springs station to have a ground level lobby, passenger facilities and an upper level train platform. “We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort.

The private passenger-rail service Brightline announced an agreement Monday with Walt Disney World to build a station at Disney Springs as part of expansion plans from South Florida to Central Florida. The station, which would link the Disney shopping, dining and entertainment complex with Orlando International Airport, potentially by 2022, is conditioned on Brightline obtaining needed government approvals. “We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests,” Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle said in a prepared statement. Brightline is working on a $2.7 billion expansion of its service from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport that is expected to be completed in 2022. –News Service of Florida

click image Photo courtesy Brightline/FacebookBrightline and Walt Disney World announced a new agreement on Monday to construct a Brightline station at Disney Springs.The planned station at Walt Disney Resorts will connect Disney with existing and in-the-works Brightline hubs at Orlando International Airport, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Aventura, Boca Raton and Port Miami.Design plans for the Disney Springs station include a ground-floor lobby, passenger facilities and an upstairs train platform, to say nothing of the prime location to all of Disney World's theme parks and hotels. Although, it should be noted, the exact location of the station has not been revealed.“Brightline will offer a car-free connection to the millions of visitors from around the state and the world who plan to make Walt Disney World Resort part of their vacation plans,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, in a press statement. “Our mission has always been to connect our guests to the people and places that matter, and Walt Disney World Resort is a tremendous example of this.”There is no set date for construction to commence – or be completed by – as this partnership is contingent on Brightline getting all of the needed government approvals.The Brightline expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport should be complete by 2022. And a Brightline route from Orlando to Tampa will tentatively break ground in 2022.

click to enlarge Photo via Magic 107.7Isn't it so 2020 that we have some of the best weather we've ever had on a Halloween yet Covid is keeping many of us at home? Fortunately, some things are even bigger than a pandemic and one them will be visible this weekend. – LINK Almost as popular as a perfect Harvest Moon, Orlando's Burger Week is back and here's where you can get a great burger for just 5 bucks! – LINK This should come as great news to all of the people forced to drive I-4 from Tampa to Orlando. The private rail system Brightline says they'll be up and running by 2025.

COCOA, Fla. - At the Beachline Expressway and US-1, Brevard County transportation leaders envision 30 Virgin Trains running every day east-to-west to Orlando and north-to-south to Miami. Formerly known as Brightline, Virgin Trains' original plan was to speed through the Space Coast without a stop. County leaders said they're now showing the company that it's worth building a passenger train station at the site leaders call the "Cocoa Curve." Another proposed location the county suggested to Virgin Trains was at US-1 and Rosa L. Jones Drive in Cocoa's Diamond Square neighborhood. Leaders said the land around US-1 and State Road 528 is already owned by Virgin Trains.