High-speed rail in Central Florida is increasingly living up to that title as Brightline continues its planned extension to Orlando International Airport.

Part of that work took an important step forward on Wednesday, as the company started commissioning tests of its trains running at up to 79 miles per hour in parts of Brevard County.

“This is a very exciting time for Brightline and for transportation throughout the state of Florida as we’re continuing to move forward to connect South Florida and Central Florida with high-speed passenger rail,” said Katie Mitzner, Brightline’s director of public affairs. “So, commissioning these tracks to 79 miles per hour is a very important step forward to be able to make that final connection and begin carrying passengers in 2023.” 

Part of the work this week involves what Brightline calls “cutover work” and “flagging operations.” Crews are working on the crossing signals as well as using flaggers to create a very visible presence at the intersections where these new high speeds are being undertaken this week.

Those include the following areas: 

Rockledge

• Barnes Boulevard (SR 502)
• Carver Street
• Ansin Road
• Viera Boulevard

Brevard County

• Suntree Boulevard

Melbourne 

• Post Road

This week marks a historic change for rail travel on the Space Coast. It’s the first time that a train in the corridor has gone faster than 60 miles per hour. Later this fall, Brightline will commission trains to run at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour.

The addition of the Brightline trains also comes with the commissioning of a second train track. Melbourne Police Cmdr. Mark Renkins said that’s something drivers keep in mind, since there used to only be one track.

“That presents two issues," he said. "One issue is that you’re on the tracks longer when you’re crossing. The other issue is you could have two-way traffic.

"So, you could have one train go by, you think it’s clear, but nope, there’s another train coming the other way.”

Renkins said another issue that drivers should consider is the closing speed of the crossing arms. He said with trains nearly doubling the speed that people are used to, it’s all the more reason to not try and drive around closing arms.

“When the crossing arms come down, we can’t have people trying to go around those bars,” he said. “A lot of times with these accidents, that’s exactly when they happen. It’s when people try and go around the arms when they’re down or when they’re coming down.”

Trying to drive around down crossing arms is not only highly dangerous, but also illegal. Florida law states that driving around a crossing bar is considered a moving violation, which would add three points to your driving license and comes with a $169 fine.

As part of Brightline’s education campaign in Broward County, officials did a red light pilot study to see how many people were trying to ignore the crossing bars and found some staggering results.

“Down in Broward County, there was actually a pilot program where they had red light cameras up and they actually monitored cars driving around the railroad crossings illegally," Mitzner said. "And we saw more than 600 vehicles drive around those crossings."

“What that tells us is that people aren’t following the law and people aren’t being patient and just waiting," she added. "And they’re putting themselves at danger. And it’s illegal.”

Similarly, because the land around train tracks is considered private property, walking along or crossing railroad tracks is considered trespassing under Florida law. 

Brightline is hoping that education efforts will help keep Florida residents and visitors safe as high-speed rail becomes a Central Florida reality. 

Data from the Federal Railroad Administration noted that Florida was the third highest in the country when it comes to railroad casualties, which is a combination of deaths and injuries.

While it’s not a huge issue in Brevard County, officials from both Brightline and local law enforcement are hoping to reach those living on and visiting the Space Coast to ensure that it doesn’t become an issue as more trains start traveling and at increasingly fast speeds.

“We’ll definitely be more aware of it and keep an eye on it more than we have in the past, without a doubt," Renkins said. "I think I can say the same for other agencies throughout Brevard County cause it’s a concern for all of us, not just Melbourne Police Department."