Brightline, the high‑speed rail service connecting South Florida and Orlando, is expanding to the Space Coast as part of a roughly $57.5 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Its trains currently travel across Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Orlando, zooming right through Brevard County without picking up a single passenger. However, the federal grant awarded to the City of Cocoa and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization is set to change that.
Brightline Florida system map
The funding will be used to finalize the design and construction of the Cocoa Multimodal Station, which connects to Brightline’s existing rail network. An in-line passenger station with family-friendly amenities and parking will be built, along with about four additional miles of double track.
Brightline will co-construct the Cocoa station with the city and handle its ongoing operations and maintenance.
“This station in Cocoa will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, increased tourism, and expanded transportation options for residents and visitors alike. The Space Coast will no longer be a pass-through for passenger rail. This is an investment in our community’s future and a milestone that will benefit generations to come,” said Cocoa Mayor Michael C. Blake in a statement.
According to World Red Eye, the new station will be located on a 90-acre site near State Road 528, US-1 and Clearlake Road, giving Space Coast residents and visitors direct rail access to Orlando International Airport.
Brightline
It won’t be far from destinations like Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center either, making it ideal for boarding your cruise ship without the hassle of port parking, or witnessing an epic rocket launch.
In addition to Cocoa, Florida, Brightline is also planning a station on the Treasure Coast in Stuart.