Brightline Bridge Construction at Crane Creek (Melbourne, FL) - March 20, 2021

[@jonathanng2390]

I was under the impression that they were going to replace the west side bridge first and than replace the east side. If they build a new bridge east of the old bridge, it will knock out a few trees and half a parking lot.

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

Yeah, they'll have to take out those trees and the part of the parking lot that extends into the rail right-of-way. After building this new bridge, the entire old bridge will be dismantled and replaced by a second new bridge in the same location as the old bridge.

[@jonathanng2390]

@@AndysTrainsNThings so this new bridge will be a "temp" eastern most new bridge? Will the Melbourne ave. gazebo remain? I saw the coast guard drawings... something changed in this. Did FEC balk at that plan?

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

Yes, the eastern-most bridge is temporary for the construction of the new train bridges. The gazebo is not in the right-of-way, so I don't think it will be affected, but I'm not sure. The plans I've looked at are from SJRWMD.

[@cadespencer6320]

@@AndysTrainsNThings how are trains going to get across after demolition?

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

The new bridge will be operational before they demolish the old one.

[@dannyvasquez4581]

The road might be closed for a year in favor of the bridge can be built for brightline

[@cadespencer6320]

Wny demolish it when they could have two bridges and three tracks with the possibility of a fourth?

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

I'm just speculating, but I believe they are removing the old bridge because they might not be able to go full speed across it. The new bridges will be built for full speed operation. Also, the old bridge had two tracks a long time ago, but at this point it's probably not worth the effort of rehabilitating it when they could build a new one. Either way, two tracks will be plenty for this route.

[@rvhorizons2528]

I'm from out of state do you happen to know the timeline for this project to be completed

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

This bridge is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2022, and they hope to begin service that same year.

[@hapwasner8021]

where is the sound?

[@AndysTrainsNThings]

Sorry, the audio I recorded had too much noise and talking in it so I decided to leave it out.