Brightline saves lives in Florida with a bold new safety initiative targeting 21 railroad crossings in Broward County. Backed by a $15.4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the project aims to create a fully “sealed corridor” to prevent cars from driving around lowered train gates—a dangerous habit that has led to numerous avoidable fatalities.
The initiative is part of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Sealed Corridor Project and will implement supplemental safety measures such as exit gates and raised medians. These upgrades are designed to physically block vehicles from entering rail crossings when trains approach, offering a powerful deterrent to reckless driving behaviors that have plagued Florida’s rail lines for years.
Inside the Plan: How Brightline and Partners Are Taking Action
The Broward County Sealed Corridor Project is funded by a combination of federal and local contributions, totaling $19.3 million. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant of $15,440,000 will be supported by $3,860,000 in local matching funds from Broward County and six participating cities: Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, and Pompano Beach.
This public-private collaboration brings together multiple stakeholders—including Brightline, Florida East Coast Railway (FECR), and the Broward MPO—to push forward a united vision for rail safety. The upgrades are expected to reduce the incidence of gate circumvention, one of the most dangerous and frequent causes of railway collisions in the region.
Why Florida’s Rail Crossings Are at Risk
Florida consistently ranks among the top U.S. states for collisions at highway-rail crossings. The fast-growing passenger rail service provided by Brightline shares tracks with freight trains along a densely populated corridor. While Brightline has already introduced safety campaigns and technology, this physical infrastructure upgrade addresses a deeper behavioral problem—drivers intentionally bypassing lowered gates.
In many cases, these incidents result in tragic fatalities. By adding exit gates, medians, and other deterrents, the Sealed Corridor Project significantly raises the level of enforcement through design. Once implemented, it will be nearly impossible for drivers to go around the barriers without damaging their vehicles or triggering enforcement mechanisms.
Project Scope: Where and What Will Be Built
The project will affect 21 rail crossings across six cities in Broward County. Each location will be equipped with at least one of the following improvements:
- Four-quadrant gate systems
- Raised center medians
- Additional warning signage and lighting
- New traffic signals coordinated with train movements
These upgrades will be designed to meet Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidelines, ensuring both vehicle and pedestrian safety while maintaining the efficiency of road-rail interaction in busy urban zones.
Local and Federal Voices Support the Move
The USDOT’s swift approval of the grant reflects a strong federal commitment to reducing rail-related deaths across the country. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy formally signed off on the grant on May 30, 2025, enabling construction and design to proceed without delay.
Brightline responded with enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to partner with agencies like Broward County MPO to bring engineering solutions to their community. We applaud USDOT for moving on this grant and ask for all of our community partners to join together to amplify the message of railroad safety.”
The statement reinforces Brightline’s long-term safety mission, which has already included the installation of fencing, educational campaigns, and technology-driven warnings along its corridor. The Sealed Corridor Project now adds critical physical infrastructure to this toolbox.
Brightline Save Lives in Florida: What Happens Next?
Design and engineering work are expected to begin this summer, with phased construction continuing into 2026. The long-term goal is not only to prevent deaths and injuries but also to set a standard for how high-speed rail services can coexist with cars, pedestrians, and urban growth.
For residents of Broward County and the millions of Brightline riders across Florida, this development signals a proactive and overdue shift in transportation safety. It also paves the way—literally and figuratively—for safer and smarter transit solutions in other parts of the country, where rail fatalities continue to rise.
By sealing off the corridor, Brightline and its partners aim to send a clear message: rail safety isn’t optional—it’s engineered.
