Brightline is expanding into the Treasure Coast connecting to South Florida and Orlando regions
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Brightline has been successfully and seamlessly connecting travelers between South and Central Florida and now has selected its next intercity passenger rail station in Stuart, Florida.
Map of Southeast Florida.
Brightline currently serves Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. Brightline is recognized by Inc. 5000 Regionals as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the Southeast for 2023 and is noted as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel by Fast Company. Brightline offers a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road. The company plans to bring its award-winning service to additional city pairs and congested corridors across the country that are too close to fly and too long to drive.
Stuart is the located in Martin County which is part of Southeast Florida. It’s part of the Treasure Coast region which is located just north of Palm Beach County. The Treasure Coast region is comprised of three counties: Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County.
Brian Kronberg, Brightline
“We’ve seen significant demand and support for a Brightline Station in the Treasure Coast which was evident during this process. It was a difficult decision and we’re grateful for everyone’s support and efforts to make this happen,” said Brian Kronberg, Brightline’s Senior Vice President of Development and Construction. “We couldn’t be more excited to make the City of Stuart our hub for Brightline along Florida’s Treasure Coast.”
The proposed Stuart station is conveniently located between the Miami and Orlando stations approximately 40 miles north of Brightline West Palm Beach, just 40 minutes by train, and the station is easily accessible from I-95, Florida’s Turnpike and the local roadway network. The station will be located in downtown Stuart at 500 S.E. Flagler Avenue on 2.35 acres situated opposite the Martin County Courthouse, bordered to the north by a lumber yard and to the south by a produce company. Brightline Stuart guests will be within walking distance of the award-winning downtown and minutes from Stuart’s pristine beaches, oceanfront resorts, and internationally acclaimed “Treasure Coast” lifestyle. Groundbreaking is expected the first quarter of 2025 and the new station is expected to open in the second half of 2026.
“The addition of a Brightline station will transform Stuart into a hub of modern transportation, fostering connectivity, and economic prosperity,” said Chair Troy McDonald, Martin Metropolitan Planning Organization, and City of Stuart Commissioner.
March 4th announcement by Rep. Brian Mast (FL-21) and elected officials from the County and City.
The location was chosen after a review of five proposals from private and public land owners along the Brightline/Florida East Coast Railway corridor in Martin and St. Lucie counties. The decision to select Stuart was driven by a number of key factors, including the location and physical characteristics of the site and the ease with which the site will integrate into Brightline’s existing rail infrastructure network. Brightline also highlighted various dynamics of the local market and the site’s accessibility to key local attractions. Expanding into the Treasure Coast will make Brightline one of the most accessible forms of transportation in Florida, giving access to nearly half of the state’s residents and millions of visitors.
Future site of Brighline Stuart station.
“Brightline believes in ‘Connecting People for Good’ and I think that’s a great thing to believe in,” said Martin County Chairman Harold Jenkins, District 3. “A Brightline station in Martin County will make it easier for folks to discover what makes our community unique. And, with a blend of cultures and backgrounds, this location has the potential to attract a good number of passengers. Together with Brightline, we look forward to connecting Martin County with other parts of this great state.”
At a public announcement on March 4th, Congressman Brian Mast (FL District 21), stated, “I congratulate the City of Stuart and Martin County on its successful bid to secure the new Brightline station and parking structure. This is proof that our community can work together and come to a solution if we use common sense. I look forward to the economic development the Treasure Coast stop will bring to our local businesses and the opportunities it will provide to the surrounding cities and the region.”
The announcement of the station site kicked off the process of memorializing a deal structure with Martin County and the City of Stuart. Following City and County approvals, Brightline and its partners will start the design and engineering of the station, parking structure and necessary rail infrastructure.
Mayor Becky Bruner, City of Stuart
“The City of Stuart is thrilled to announce that Brightline has chosen Stuart for the next station in Florida’s expanding passenger rail network,” said City of Stuart Mayor Becky Brunner. “This marks a historic return to our roots and fulfills a vision held by Stuart for over 30 years, offering residents and visitors alike a first-class journey to Stuart, away from the congestion of highways. Stuart welcomes Brightline to our seaside town and looks forward to developing a partnership that defines the future of travel and transportation in Florida.”
Brightline surpassed 5 million rides after first launching operations in South Florida in 2018 connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. In 2022, Brightline opened stations in Boca Raton and Aventura. In September 2023, Brightline rolled out the yellow carpet to welcome long-haul travelers between South Florida and Orlando, celebrating true intercity rail. As the first guests entered its station in Orlando, Brightline put an exclamation point on the boldest private infrastructure project in the nation and the biggest development in American train travel in over 100 years. Today Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando in under 3.5 hours.
Vice Mayor Campbell Rich, City of Stuart
“The presence of the Brightline station in downtown Stuart will undoubtedly benefit local businesses and create new job opportunities as people can now easily travel from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando to visit our city,” stated the City of Stuart’s Vice Mayor, Campbell Rich. “In addition, by creating access to this new, regional rail network, the station will help us reduce our over-reliance on cars and help lessen traffic congestion as we all begin to enjoy the availability of a modern and reliable public transportation system.”
To learn more about Start, Florida, or the “Salfish Capital of The World,” visit www.cityofstuart.us