The Miami–Tampa High-Speed Rail Extension Project is a planned development by Brightline Florida that aims to expand the company’s existing rail network from Miami to Tampa. The extension will primarily follow the Interstate 4 corridor, creating a roughly 320-mile high-speed connection across the state. In addition to this project, there is an existing Brightline West high-speed rail project which is progressing rapidly.
To finance the project, Brightline has requested $400 million in tax-exempt bonds through the Florida Development Finance Corporation. The funds will support the design, development, and construction of new stations along the Miami–Orlando–Tampa route. A public hearing was held on July 17, 2025, as the company moves closer to securing financing and commencing what could become a decade-long build-out.
Currently, Brightline connects Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Orlando, offering premium intercity passenger service. The company also provides shuttle connections between airports and train stations, particularly for passengers flying with JetBlue’s Mint and core economy classes. Its expansion reflects broader momentum in U.S. rail infrastructure, as outlined in ongoing rail projects in the USA, highlighting renewed investment in modern, efficient, and passenger-focused transit systems.
Brightline remains the only privately operated intercity passenger railroad in the United States. The service originated in March 2012 under the name All Aboard Florida, a project conceived by Florida East Coast Industries, a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group. Construction began in November 2014, and operations launched in stages — first between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in January 2018, then Miami to Fort Lauderdale in May 2018. Additional infill stations at Aventura and Boca Raton opened in December 2022, and the West Palm Beach–Orlando segment commenced revenue service in September 2023.
With more stops planned along its growing network, Brightline continues to reshape intercity travel in the U.S. Beyond Florida, the company is also advancing a high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Southern California, which is progressing rapidly toward construction.
Also read: Construction of the Brightline West high speed California to Las Vegas rail to begin
Project Factsheet
Project name: Brightline Orlando to Tampa Extension
Operator: Brightline
Route: initially proposed to follow the Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor between Orlando and Tampa. The full Miami to Tampa route would be approximately 320 miles.
Estimated travel time (Orlando to Tampa): Approximately 1 hour
Cost
The proposed project, currently in its initial phase, is seeking up to $400 million in bond funding for construction.
The Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC) plans to fund the project. It has scheduled a public hearing for July 17 at 2 p.m. The hearing will take place via telephone conference to gather feedback on approving the bonds required for the extension.
What will the Funds be Utilized for?
The FDFC plans to loan the bonds to Brightline, enabling the company to fund the design, development, acquisition, and construction of the extension. This information was revealed by a notice on the FDFC website.
Upon completion, a single train trip from Orlando International to Tampa would take approximately an hour. It takes two hours to drive between the cities on I-4.
Significance of the Project
During 2024, Florida transportation officials stated that a high-speed train linking Tampa to Orlando was “important” due to the worsening traffic congestion on the interstate.
The update on the high-speed rail follows a survey conducted earlier this year. The survey assessed how residents and commuters would respond to the proposed expansion.
Also read: Hudson River rail tunnel project in New York, USA
