Brevard County Officials Confident in Funding for Cocoa Brightline Station

Brevard County officials express renewed optimism regarding the funding for the proposed passenger rail Brightline station in Cocoa. After a setback in securing a $47.46 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration last year, local transportation authorities are hopeful for future funding opportunities.

Brightline Station Funding Update

During the Brevard County Commission’s meeting on October 14, Commissioner Thad Altman shared encouraging news from the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO). He noted that discussions with the SCTPO staff have revealed a more positive outlook towards obtaining federal funding for the Cocoa station.

• Previous Grant Denial: Last year, Brevard County’s application for a $47.46 million federal grant was turned down.
• Current Federal Funding Availability: The federal government has allocated $5 billion for rail projects nationwide.
• Next Steps: Grant submissions are due by January 2026, with notifications expected by Spring.

Partnership and Progress

The SCTPO, collaborating with the City of Cocoa, aims to secure funding from the reissued National Railroad Partnership Program grant. Georganna Gillette, Executive Director of the SCTPO, emphasizes their commitment to realizing the Cocoa station project. Progress has been made, including the completion of necessary environmental studies and preliminary design work.

Cocoa spokeswoman Samantha Senger expressed her city’s optimism, stating, “We’ve heard positive feedback that our chances of receiving grant funding are pretty good.” With further advancements in the project’s planning, Senger believes they are in a more favorable position compared to last year.

Station Location and Design

The new Brightline station will be situated along the route connecting Orlando to Miami, specifically on a property located off Clearlake Road, close to State Roads 524 and 528. A memorandum of understanding between the city and Brightline signifies a coordinated effort towards completing this station.

Funding Sources and Financial Support

While the federal grant will cover a significant portion of the project’s budget, additional funding is necessary. The SCTPO’s Governing Board has allocated $15.5 million in future federal grants to aid in the design and construction costs. Furthermore, Brevard County commissioners have approved an additional $5 million in funding, matched by $5 million from the City of Cocoa.

• Funding Breakdown:
  • $47.46 million – Expected federal grant
  • $15.5 million – Future federal grant from SCTPO
  • $5 million – Brevard County funding
  • $5 million – City of Cocoa funding
  • $2 million – Other federal appropriations
  • $6.25 million – Land donation from Brightline
  • $3 million – Expected annual operation and maintenance costs by Brightline

This collaborative effort among local government, transportation organizations, and Brightline highlights a promising future for rail transportation in Brevard County. With the support of elected officials and solid planning, the establishment of a new passenger rail station in Cocoa appears to be on the horizon.