HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-023RESOLUTION NO. 20-023
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY IN
SUPPORT OF FLORIDA SENATOR DEBBIE MAYFIELD AND REPRESENTATIVE TYLOR SIROIS'
LEGISLATION ENTITLED HIGH SPEED PASSENGER RAIL SAFETY ACT
WHEREAS, the Florida Office of Public Policy and Government Oversight (OPPAGA) used
funds set aside in the State Budget for fiscal year 2018/2019 to contract with CPCS Transcom,
an international transportation and power infrastructure consulting group, to conduct a study
of Florida passenger rail systems; and
WHEREAS, CPCS released its findings in late 2018, which encompassed an inventory of
all existing and future passenger rail systems in the state, the accident and incident reports of
each and an overview of the jurisdictions that regulate passenger rail including federal, state,
regional and local levels; and
WHEREAS, the CPCS Passenger Rail Study identified a major issue in the state of Florida
regarding the high rate of severe injuries and fatalities and high levels of trespassing incidents
on railroad right of ways due to rail services operating in dense urban areas; and
WHEREAS, the CPCS Passenger Rail Study identified gaps in regulations specific to
higher -speed rail operations and noting there is a glaring absence of regulations governing
higher speed rail systems operating between 80 and 125 mph including All Aboard Florida
(Brightline/Virgin Trains); and
WHEREAS, the CPCS Passenger Rail Study identified the need to clarify FDOT's mandate
on oversight of passenger rail with respect to maintenance, safety, revitalization, and
expansion as the department is given an explicit role to oversee rail planning and
implementation" through the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008; and
WHEREAS, the CPCS Passenger Rail Study found the lack of resources for local
governments for planning rail projects as evidenced by the municipalities which are financially
and technically overburden by massive changes to their infrastructure including roadways and
grade crossings; and
WHEREAS, Brightline/Virgin Trains has experienced over 30 deaths on its rails in 2019
while going a maximum speed of 79 mph before the service reaches speeds up to 110 mph in
St. Lucie County; and
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County has 48 at -grade crossings on the FECR corridor, shared by
Brightline/Virgin Trains, all of which will be impacted with the expansion of double tracking for
the higher speed rail on its route to the Orlando airport; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration has approved the transport of
hazardous materials on the FECR route including Liquefied Natural Gas; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County Florida that:
1. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners supports Florida Senator Debbie
Mayfield and Florida Representative Tyler Sirois' legislation, the High Speed Rail Safety Senate
Bill 676 and House Bill 465 now before the Florida House and Senate.
2. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners encourages Governor DeSantis to
address the high number of deaths on all forms of rail systems in Florida and direct the FL
Department of Transportation to develop plans for reducing the number of deaths, accidents
and derailments.
3. The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners encourages Governor DeSantis to
direct FDOT to consider all other safety enhancements that will save the lives, the livelihoods
and the tax dollars of all Florida residents.
PASSED AND DUh ADOPTED this 41h day February 2020.
ATTEST:
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY: 4' O .t..A -.. l N 11
CHAIR j
APPROVED
COUNTY A
EY
AND CORRECTNESS:
EXHIBIT"H"