A new express train that’s expected to speed up the trip from South Florida to Orlando is one step closer to being completed, according to a statement.
The Brightline high-speed passenger rail system was approved Friday by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the statement read. The organization issued a Record of Decision, the last approval needed to start construction on the system between West Palm Beach and Orlando.
“This is the most critical and final step in the extension of Brightline’s service to Orlando, and we are excited to move forward with Phase 2,” said Dave Howard, Brightline’s CEO, in the statement.
All Aboard Florida, Brightline’s parent company, plans to begin construction of Phase 2 in early 2018.
Brightline has already been testing trains between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach as Phase 1 of the operation, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. According to the newspaper, MiamiCentral station will be added to the route in the upcoming months.
When the system from South Florida to Orlando is completed, officials estimate Brightline will cut the trip from South Florida to Orlando by about an hour. Right now, getting to Orlando takes roughly four hours by car or bus, according to the report.
