A $57 million federal grant has cleared the way for Brevard County's first Brightline station, which will open near Cocoa. The new stop at Cocoa Curve will be where the Orlando line splits from the coastal corridor, connecting Port Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center to Orlando and Miami by rail. Currently, all 32 daily Brightline trains on the 235-mile Orlando-to-Miami route pass through Brevard County without stopping. The new station will allow passengers to reach Orlando International Airport and South Florida without transfers or rental cars.
The station will be built on a 90-acre site south of State Road 528 near US-1 and Clearlake Road. Brightline has owned the land since 2021. Federal funds will cover design, construction, and about 4 miles of new track to connect the platform to the existing line. Travelers will be able to pull off State Road 528, park, and board a train heading toward Miami or the airport within minutes.
Cocoa Curve is positioned as a gateway for Brightline's potential future expansion north toward Jacksonville. The location is strategically placed along the railroad's planned route. The station will also serve cruise passengers and space tourists visiting Kennedy Space Center.
The project comes as Brevard County grows rapidly, with the new station expected to ease transportation demands. No specific timeline for construction or opening has been announced, but the grant marks a key step forward. Local officials have not yet commented publicly on the development.