An inter-city passenger railroad company is testing high-speed trains that it plans to run to and from the Orlando area.
Brightline, which is based in south Florida, announced on Wednesday, March 1, that it will begin testing trains “at maximum speeds of 125 miles-per-hour” between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa.
According to a press release issued by the company, the testing will take place along the new, 35-mile dedicated rail corridor that runs parallel to the Beachline Expressway/SR 528 in Orange and Brevard Counties.
Because the rail corridor is fenced and there are “no public grade crossings,” there will be no impact to motorists, says the company.
“Brightline trains will be testing between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily and testing will continue throughout the Spring,” reads the statement.
The testing comes as the company prepares to improve its efforts in “connecting South Florida and Central Florida with intercity passenger rail.”
Currently, Brightline is testing along the corridor from Cocoa to West Palm Beach, with trains reaching speeds of up to 110 mph.
Founded in 2018, the company currently serves Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Aventura, and Boca Raton. The company says it plans to address other city pairs and congested corridors that it believes are too close for flights and too long for drives, including connecting Las Vegas with southern California.