Video by Mark Elias, Mark Elias Media Services
JUPITER, Fla. — Florida East Coast Railway’s new Loxahatchee River drawbridge that will begin carrying frequent Brightline passenger trains in early 2023 is now being raised for boat traffic and lowered for trains.
Dismantling of the former 96-year-old bridge on the site began in mid-April, when accommodations were made to keep the waterway open while the new span was being constructed [see News photos: Brightline introduces temporary Loxahatchee River bridge,” News Wire April 15, 2022.]
The transition period requiring overnight river closures and a temporary rail bridge to be lifted for an hour twice daily had been projected to end on May 31.
As seen in this June 1, 2022, video, the bridge is lowered to permit a northbound FEC transfer run to pass. When in the down position, it allows an additional 14 inches of vertical clearance for pleasure craft. Work is continuing during the next few months to complete the second main track on the bridge and the entire route between West Palm Beach and Cocoa, Fla., where a new east-west 125-mph sealed corridor railroad to Orlando International Airport is now being built.
TheRoamingRailfan has a video of its installation on YouTube, along with a whole bunch of FEC and Brightline construction updates.
Following the almost weekly, extensive video coverage of Brightline’s progress on Youtube has been most educational and instructive on how to build a railroad, and keep one running at the same time.
Glad to see it is a two-track bridge. Building for the future, instead of 5 years ago.