Hi all,

Here's a new video for Aventura and Boca Raton station construction progress. It's really coming along nicely!! This is new video.

Brightline Construction: Aventura and Boca Raton Station Progress - October 23, 2022

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Environmental Report is out

https://railroads.dot.gov/rail-netwo...ass-high-speed

https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/b...tal-assessment

Brightline Releases Environmental Documents for High-Speed Rail from Victorville to Las Vegas

By Damien Newton
Streetsblog
Nov. 2, 2022

"Back in January, the lead investor for the privately funded $8 billion Brightline West high-speed rail proposal that would connect Las Vegas to Southern California declared the project “at the one yard line.” Late last month, Brightline released its draft federal environmental document needed before construction and announced approval of the sale of land in Ranch Cucamonga for the construction of the station at the California terminus.

The interested public can weigh in Brightline’s plans at hearings on Saturday, November 12, and Tuesday November 15.

If it was at the one yard line in January, today the ball is maybe just inches from the goal line. After the final environmental documents are approved, construction could start in 2026. Brightline West already has approvals for construction of a 170-mile portion of the line from Victor Valley, California, into Las Vegas, where a terminus is planned about two miles south of the Strip in Downtown Las Vegas. Operations could begin as soon as 2030. Full funding for the project has not been identified, with Brightline planning to seek both federal and private dollars once the environmental documents are approved..."

https://cal.streetsblog.org/2022/11/...-to-las-vegas/

Hi all,

This is final construction videos for Aventura and Boca Raton stations. It's really coming along nicely!! Schedule to open by the end of 2022. This is new video.

• Video Link

I like those pavers. Wish they could have used them on the platform. Probably some well meaning but misguided safety regulation preventing it.

Brightline to start Orlando service in late Summer/Fall 2023. You have wait for a little bit longer. Still ongoing construction.

https://www.thenextmiami.com/brightl...ibextid=S66gvF

Hold it! They has been deleted. They gave wrong date!

Brightline says it will start Orlando service in January/February 2023.

Unfortunately, this article is paywalled.

With billions in funding now available, Tampa lawmakers prioritize rail service to Orlando

By Henry Queen
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Dec. 14, 2022

"A regional board agreed to add passenger rail service to Orlando to its list of major priority projects for 2023..."

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/...tampa-bay.html

Brightline to open 2 new stations on December 21, 2022. Aventura and Boca Raton stations.

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2...fxRNoZRPeE5_Vo

https://www.thenextmiami.com/brightl...eLcjrhcpKP0mJA

Finally! Long overdue!

So tomorrow Brightline train to set opens Aventura and Boca Raton stations. Starting tomorrow!

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2...pDZVotOsxxws9M

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Hi all,

Here's a video of Aventura station tour.

• Video Link

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Apparently, Universal Studios is going to fund a Sunrail station to connect to the Brightline station that opens next year to their new theme park Epic Universe next to the convention center

A look inside the Brightline Orlando station that is opening soon:
https://floridayimby.com/2023/01/bri...l-airport.html

https://floridayimby.com/wp-content/...ce-768x432.jpg
https://floridayimby.com/wp-content/...int-scaled.jpg
https://floridayimby.com/wp-content/...Bar-scaled.jpg
https://floridayimby.com/wp-content/...king-south.jpg

I'm very impressed with the speed at which the Brightline was constructed, and the quality of the stations. It's really remarkable to see this train operating less than 10 years after it was proposed. Meanwhile, here in CA it's going to be 22 years (if current projections hold) between the project being approved to a line operating from f*cking Merced to Bakersfield. God knows how many more decades it will take to actually connect to LA and SF. Is it too late to hand the CA HSR project off to the Brightline company?

First let's see how well they do with the line to Vegas

Are we seriously trying to compare Brightline Florida with the immensely more vast, ambitious and challenging CHSR? Thats like a mission to the south pole versus a mission to the moon. And the mission to the south pole has full funding.

https://www.thenextmiami.com/brightl...vJ_g0lsdb_i7xM

Brightline Completes Final Installation Of Rail Track On Orlando Segment

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Is Brightline High-Speed? I thought it was 110mph.

It's not true high speed rail and anyone trying to misrepresent that fact is doing so as an apologist for American mediocrity.

And 60 people have already been killed by Brightline trains because there isn't grade separation and Brightline already owns the right-of-way, etc...

Seems like a cool train.

Accidents aside.

Took a video of the Brightline train going by while walking my doggy: • Video Link

I know that. I am very aware of that. I follow the news very closely. People don't follow the rules. They asking to stay off the tracks. They went around the crossing gates. They were trying killed by train. They don't pay attention! Stay off the tracks!

Stop! Look both ways! Wait the train to go. Be patient! Listen the warning signals. Don't cross the tracks! Don't do it!

How many were suspected suicides?

I was in Florida a few weeks ago and saw people trying to beat the gates in their cars, blocking the crossings, and pedestrians crossing while the signals were going. People down there are remarkably reckless.

The new construction portion of the line to Orlando currently is only single-tracked. There is room to add a second track but that is not currently in the scope of work. That surprised me given that double tracking is usually a prerequisite for a modern, intensively used rail line.

I know that. I saw it! I saw the video. I am very aware of that. I knows they don't follow the law. They asking to stay off the tracks. Obviously, they're breaking the law! They were not listening, they asking to stay away from the tracks and don't cross the tracks. Don't do it!

They were trying to beat the trains. They could get killed! It could be worst! Florida is the worst traffic! It's very bad. Terrible traffic, they are not pay attention, they did not listen the warning signals. Stay off the tracks!

STOP! LOOK BOTH WAYS! WAIT FOR TRAINS TO GO! DON'T CROSS THE TRACKS! DON'T DO IT!

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on aviation safety yesterday. Although the topic of the hearing was aviation, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) asked Jennifer Homendy, the Chair of the NTSB, about driver and pedestrian safety with Brightline. Ms. Homendy noted that NTSB might be studying Brightline because of the high number of fatalities.

https://subscriber.politicopro.com/a...tline-00081578

Brightline begins testing at speeds of 110 mph between West Palm & Cocoa Beach.

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Heads up!!

Finally! Bright Orange 2 is on the way. Get the camera ready!!!

What's the percentage of those committing suicide or attempting to beat trains across the tracks when the gates are down? I don't think we can blame Brightline for the majority of accidents on the FEC corridor.

We have a lot of people down here that have a problem following the rules. It's very hard to say that Brightline should be on the hook for stupidity and suicide attempts. Education and traffic enforcement when rules are broken are also needed. As for the suicides, all the gates and grade separation in the world won't stop that.

I know, I know!! They won’t stop! Repeatedly and repeatedly! They were not listening. They asked to stay off the tracks. Stay away from the tracks! They are breaking the law.

Finally! Brightline plans to commence Orlando service sometime in 2nd quarter 2023. Long overdue!

https://www.thenextmiami.com/heres-w...Sb4oEZUSFK-58Q

Zzyzx Road has to be one of the best named roads in America.

Brightline West agrees to build wildlife crossings along I-15

By Mick Akers
Las Vegas Review-Journal
February 15, 2023

https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-con...681.jpg?crop=1
"An artist rendering of what the Brightline West high-speed rail line could look like on a portion of the track in the Cajon Pass area in Southern California."(Brightline West)

"The long-talked-about high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Southern California has cleared another hurdle.

Brightline West entered into an agreement with the California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to design and build three wildlife crossings across portions of Interstate 15, the company announced Wednesday.

“Roadways and rail lines must be designed to connect, not divide,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “This project will not only protect the precious wildlife and habitat of the Mojave Desert region but will also get people between Las Vegas and Southern California safely and efficiently – preserving one of the most popular corridors in our state..."

https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/...-i-15-2729698/

I remember discovering that road while looking over the DesertXpress EIS docs a few years ago. I was like whaaaaaat? I guess in the middle of the desert is the best place to have a sense of humor.

It's certainly better than what else can happen in the desert.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ADTG-GTEo-E/hqdefault.jpg

Guys! Bright Orange 2 has arrived in Orlando, FL today. They make it!! A very long journey from Sacramento, CA.

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Hold it! It's back on! He needed a few changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDRPBGGGuI8&t=2s

Brightline to start Orlando service sometime in early June 2023.

https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/b...KAy1lbJLeBMGPs

https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/lo...vSEcB5VQN14pqQ

Getting ready!!

Brightline, rail unions enter deal for train between Las Vegas, Southern California

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2023/02/21...LY2u7S6ZcwgqGo

Gotta be some in there....

Here in Chicago, at least on the UP-NW Metra route, folks get struck on crossings multiple times throughout the year. Some of them are indeed suicides.

If these are crossings that have proper gates, with adequate warnings.... Then I'm not sure what to say to those folks trying to beat the train. Darwin.

DeSantis would prefer those poor souls to have easier access to guns.

Freedom.

https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion...P7Nbzpa2Jj_Tus

Brightline, it's time to pick Treasure Coast station for Orlando-West Palm Beach service

Brightline, Caltrans to sign pact for Apple Valley to Rancho Cucamonga rail line

By Rene Ray De La Cruz
Victorville Daily Press
March 14, 2023

"The California Department of Transportation and Brightline West plan to enter a right-of-way use agreement for a portion of the high-speed rail project along Interstate 15 between Apple Valley and Rancho Cucamonga via the Cajon Pass.

The agreement is designed to advance the development of the privately owned and operated electrified rail project that will connect Las Vegas to Southern California.

The issuance of a notice of intent on Friday kicked off a 15-day public comment period for the proposed lease agreement between Caltrans and Brightline West..."

https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/n...h/70001693007/

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Apparently this type of behavior exists outside of Florida too !

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Those people better czech themselves.