Intercity rail provider Brightline recently announced the completion of the first major construction zone (Zone 2) on its 170-mile high-speed rail extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport (OIA) in Florida.
The 3.5-mile section is one of four zones along this extension leading into OIA. According to a news release from Brightline, Zone 2 is one of the most complex construction areas along the entire corridor.
Brightline says Zone 2 is an engineered double track that travels under active airport taxiways and over tug roads running through the heart of OIA. Brightline’s construction of this zone includes six bridges, two underpasses, and several airport improvements, including a new traffic interchange configuration at Cargo Road, located north of the airport, and the airport’s first roundabout designed to assist with traffic flow.
Beginning in 2023, Brightline trains will travel through the airport corridor at 35 mph before heading east along S.R. 528 towards Cocoa where they will reach top speeds of 125 mph. Trains traveling along Zone 2 will have access to the airport’s new Intermodal Terminal Facility and the Beachline Expressway/S.R. 528.
“Our construction through OIA presented one of the most complex construction efforts of this entire project and our successful completion is a testament to partnership, teamwork, and out-of-the-box thinking,” Michael Cegelis, executive vice president of development and construction for Brightline, said in a statement.
Brightline completed additional infrastructure on the project to accommodate future transportation options through the airport including embankment, bridge foundations at the tug roads, and a shared underpass at Cargo Rd.
The Orlando extension is 70% complete and is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2022. The Middlesex Corporation, based in Orlando, served as general contractor, and constructed the corridor over 33 months.
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SOURCE: Brightline
