Brightline’s next round of 110 mph high-speed testing is scheduled to start as early as July 28 in Brevard County. The testing, which is expected to last a week, is among the final tests underway to prepare for Brightline’s opening to Orlando.
The 110-mph high-speed testing in Brevard County will take place along an approximately 41-mile section of track, involving multiple railroad crossings through Cocoa, Rockledge, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Malabar, Grant-Valkaria and Micco. Testing will occur daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Important testing details
- Additional wait times are expected at railroad crossings in the testing corridor.
- Flaggers will be present at railroad crossings where active testing is taking place and where trains will travel between 79 and 110 mph.
- Brightline is working closely with local law enforcement agencies that will be present throughout the corridor.
In anticipation for Brightline’s opening to Orlando, Melbourne Police Department is running an education and enforcement rail safety awareness campaign through July and August. Officers are patrolling the rail corridor and high traffic railroad crossings, handing out rail safety materials to motorists and pedestrians and enforcing trespassing on railroad tracks and laws at railroad crossings.
Safety improvements
Brightline has made crucial safety improvements at all 156 railroad crossings along the 129-mile corridor between Cocoa and West Palm Beach, including the testing area. The improvements vary per crossing but may include new crossing gates, signal systems, pedestrian gates, pavement markings and roadway profiles. Where trains will operate above 79 mph, crossings have quad gates or medians to prevent motorists from driving around lowered crossing gates. Brightline is working closely with community partners, government agencies and the media to spread the word and highlight rail safety via multiple channels, including on social media and with public service announcements.
