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DRAFT Subject to modifications appropriate staffing hours, communications, and locations for bridge tenders to be provided at the Loxahatchee and St. Lucie River bridges. • Modernize Bridge Mechanisms and Structures: The additional demand proposed by the AAF project on the antiquated Loxahatchee River and St. Lucie River bridges could cause rapid deterioration of the bridge machinery and substructure. A detailed analysis of both bridges should be conducted to identify long-term needs, and FECI, U.S. Coast Guard, and local governments should work together to determine key mechanical and structural components needing modernization to ensure continued safe and reliable operation. • Provide Funding for Second Police/Fire Response Vessel and Dockage: Because the Loxahatchee River bridge provides exclusive access for the Village of Tequesta advanced life safety vessel, FECI and FDOT should work with the Village of Tequesta to assist in securing a new dock location and support the purchase of a second life safety vessel to be located west of the Loxahatchee River bridge. • Provide FDOT Funding for Long -Term Bridge Reconstruction: As part of the FDOT SIS, the FEC railroad bridges are eligible FDOT funding. Marine navigation, especially for larger cargo vessels, is compromised at the St. Lucie River bridge due to misalignment between its draw span and that of the AlA vehicular bridge to the west. The opening at the Loxahatchee River bridge is too narrow to allow two boats to pass through simultaneously, and boating traffic will be constrained with additional bridge closures. A bridge working group should be established, with participation by FDOT, FECI, local governments, and marine interests, to identify long-term structural rehabilitation of both bridges over time. As SIS facilities, the bridge evaluations should consider the key SIS criteria: economic competitiveness and quality of life. Consideration should be given to improve the alignment between the rail and vehicular bridge draw spans at the St. Lucie River crossing and widening of the Loxahatchee River bridge draw span. (4) Access to Broadband Capacity: As an ancillary corridor improvement, FECI's telecommunications division (Parallel Infrastructure) has indicated it will install a high-capacity fiber optic network within the FEC corridor from Jacksonville to Miami and from Orlando to Cocoa along State Road 528. This private infrastructure improvement will provide state-of-the-art broadband capacity that could revolutionize communications and research capabilities for the region and state. Broadband access can improve the delivery of public services such as emergency response, improve educational and research opportunities, and provide a significant economic development enhancement for the region. To help offset costs and impacts to local governments, the following mitigating measure is suggested: • Establish Discounted Broadband Access Rate for Public and Select Not -for -Profit Institutions: FECI, FDOT, and local governments should work together to identify an appropriate discounted rate for broadband access by local governments and agencies, 6 aso .A.C..