BRIGHTLINE TRAINS

On Tuesday, Brightline started running qualifying trains between West Palm Beach and Brevard County. Though no one was on board, it marks an important step in connecting Central Florida to South Florida. READ: Brightline to begin training runs between Cocoa, West Palm BeachThe Brightline train departed from West Palm Beach around 7:30 a.m. and arrived in Micco about four hours later. The qualifying runs will allow crews to be “intimately aware of where the curves are, the straightaways, the communities (they) are going through, the crossings,” said Katie Mitzner with Brightline Trains. See photos in the gallery below:Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 Brightline rail service Brightline begins running trains on new rail system, paving way to connect Central, South Florida (Brightline/Brightline)During these runs, the trains will top out at 60 miles an hour, basically freight train speeds.

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.

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.