RIDING INTO THE FUTURE: The Award-Winning Brightline Buildout

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KAREN K PHOTO

2023 GENERAL CONTRACTOR PROJECT of the year

Gomez Construction Company was the general contractor overseeing the interior buildout of the new Brightline train station at the multi-modal center at Orlando International Airport. The 37,350 SF station next to Terminal C will help Brightline connect service between Central Florida and South Florida. The facility’s core and shell were built during the multi-modal center construction and connects directly to the airport’s parking garage C, with more than 350 parking spaces set aside for Brightline guests.

The station is bright, airy, and full of amenities that are typically absent from passenger train outposts in the United States. The ornamental entry portal constructed contains over 70,000 LED lights and features the recognizable Brightline logo. Passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of the several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening tunnel. Once passengers make their way through the tunnel, they are met with the two-story station space featuring the Mary Mary Bar, the MRKT PLACE, and a BrightKids children’s play area. Passengers access their train by escalator or elevator to first level platforms that are 1,000 feet long and can accommodate a train with up to 10 coaches and two locomotives.

Central Florida Chapter MEMBERS

Advanced Millwork, Inc.

David Allen Company, Inc.

Energy Air, Inc.

Gomez Construction Company

Interior Specialties, Inc.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

Southern Fire Protection of Orlando

Spectra Contract Flooring

During the preconstruction period, the Gomez team took time to do a deep-dive study of what had been done at previous Brightline stations, visit those stations, and speak with subcontractors to produce ways to get ahead of any challenges previous projects encountered. The high-profile nature made this an exciting project, but also challenging in a lot of respects. This very public project was being watched by all Central Florida, and the schedule, quality, and attention to detail were of the highest importance.

The project was completed during a tumultuous time after the COVID-19 pandemic that created equipment lead time issues, supply shortages, and labor challenges that lingered during the course of construction. The Gomez team had the foresight to order some of the extremely long-lead items, such as fan coils, air handling units, light fixtures, custom carpeting, electrical switchgear, and other custom finishes during the preconstruction process to mitigate the delays.

One of the biggest challenges on the project was modifications to the installed electrical and plumbing systems located in the totally enclosed, six-foot interstitial space between two levels. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) was contracted by Gomez for the plumbing scope; this included a team working in that confined space and taking every safety precaution. Thick wood planking was secured within the deck to allow for a secure work platform and team members were always tied off at two points with their tools tethered to prevent breaks in the platform and potential falls. Fresh fair was pumped into the space and four gas sensors were used to ensure oxygen and methane levels did not waver while four MPI skilled plumbers worked as efficiently as possible.

Throughout the station, all guests have access to free highspeed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, and 87 big screen televisions. The Mary Mary Bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a panoramic view overlooking the train platforms. The custom bar installed at the Mary Mary Bar, installed by Advanced Millwork, Inc. includes LED systems, crafted to be both functional and visually appealing, with automation that changes between morning and night settings.

Working on a project in an active airport added complexity to their safety plan due to the increased security and work around the public. Brightline had their own safety guidelines that had to be adhered to, in addition to the rigorous safety protocols Gomez uses on all their projects. They had a dedicated, full-time safety supervisor on site throughout the project and successfully completed construction with no lost time.

The Brightline station brings a whole new level of access to Orlando that will serve as a gateway to the most popular destinations in Florida, providing seamless connections to world-renowned theme parks and tourist spots. The project is one that the entire Central Florida region can be proud of and why Gomez earned the Excellence in Construction Project of the Year Award for 2023!