Brightline Florida

This major expansion of Florida’s higher-speed passenger rail network connects Orlando International Airport to South and Central Florida while operating alongside active freight rail corridors. Work spanned urban and rural environments, and supports train speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. 

Stacy Witbeck participated through joint ventures on zones3 & 4, performing critical track construction and coordination on projects totaling more than 165 miles of new and rehabilitated high-speed rail infrastructure. 

Need 

Florida’s rapidly growing population and travel demand required a modern, high-capacity passenger rail system that could safely coexist with active freight operations. Zones 3 and 4 address this need by expanding intercity rail service, reducing highway congestion, and improving regional mobility, while maintaining uninterrupted operations along some of the state’s busiest rail corridors. 

Work | Zone 3 

• Constructed 56 miles of new high-speed mainline track within the SR-528 corridor. 
• Installed 136RE rail on concrete ties, designed for 125-mph operations. 
• Constructed special trackwork including No. 32.7 and No. 10 turnouts. 
• Performed track construction as part of a joint venture with Herzog and RailWorks. 
• Coordinated with systems subcontractor installation including signal houses, control points, intermediates, and grade crossing infrastructure.

Final Contract Value: $27.2 million 

Final Completion: September 15, 2022 

Work | Zone 4

• Constructed and rehabilitated approximately 130 miles of track. 
• Built and replaced 28 railroad bridges, including complex structures within active corridors. 
• Installed over 100 turnouts and crossovers and upgraded 155 grade crossings. 
• Relocated fiber optic duct banks parallel to the railroad right-of-way. 
• Delivered a new signal system using owner-furnished materials. 
• Performed all work adjacent to and in coordination with the operating Florida East Coast Railway.

Project Value: Approximately $800 million 

Impact 

Together, Zones 3 and 4 significantly advance Florida’s passenger rail capabilities by delivering faster, safer, and more reliable intercity travel. The projects enhance regional connectivity, support economic development, and establish a scalable foundation for continued high-speed rail expansion across the state. 

Collaboration 

Both zones required extensive coordination among joint-venture partners, freight rail operators, systems contractors, utility providers, and public stakeholders. Construction sequencing was meticulously planned to maintain freight operations, protect pedestrians and motorists, and safely execute work within dense urban corridors and constrained rights-of-way. 

Innovations 

• Delivered high-speed track infrastructure designed for 125-mph passenger service. 
• Sequenced construction to maintain uninterrupted freight rail operations across active corridors. 
• Integrated large-scale track construction, rehabilitation, bridges, signals, and grade crossings within live rail environments. 
• Managed complex logistics using owner-furnished materials and detailed work planning across urban and rural sites.