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a � � widening and improvements of CR512 from I-95 to U.S. 1. Lloyd & Associates, Inc. is the engineer for this project. As part of this project, a one-way pair is proposed with the westbound lanes intersecting the Florida East Coast Railroad approximately a quarter mile north of the current CR512 crossing. By -Florida law, the Florida Department of Transportation is responsible for coordinating new railroad grade crossings requested by local jurisdictions. New crossings are not granted merely at the request of the jurisdictions but must meet overall tests for highway -rail safety and efficiency. In the past, the F.E.C. Railroad has granted new at grade crossings if another crossing is closed, so that a net increase in crossings does not result. In response to our initial request, the F.E.C. Railroad requested the County to tunnel under the railroad at the proposed westbound CR512 crossing. This alternative was not feasible due to elevation constraints -and was not cost effective. In the second round of negotiations, preliminary reports on our request for a new crossing indicate that before the new crossing for CR512 can be approved the county must abandon three and possibly four existing crossings across the Florida East Coast Railroad (even though the requested crossing is only the westbound half of the proposed new roadway). Staff can identify three crossings (Bay Street, 43rd Street and 87th Street) that it feels can be abandoned without major disruption to the existing traffic patterns, however, if the County closes three crossings at this time, there may not be additional crossings in the future that the County could close to mitigate future Roadway projects such as 53rd Street, 57th Street, etc. If staff is unable to convince the DOT that the crossing should be granted without the need to give up three existing crossings, a decision must be made about continuing the study with the one-way pair alternative, or widen the existing CR512 Roadway in its current alignment. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS Alternative No. 1 - Continue developing -plans with the one-way pair for CR512. If the results of current proceedings "require the closing of the three or more crossings, continue to contest the outcome through administrative proceedings and if necessary through litigation. Work on the project west of the twin pair alignment can begin prior to resolution of the crossing. Alternative No. 2 - Modify the contract with Lloyd & Associates to develop a new configuration for widening the present roadway along the east end of CR512. This alternative would result in expensive Right -of -Way acquisition along the 3300 ft. section at an estimated cost of $ 165,000. RECOMMENDATION & FUNDING Alternative No. 1 is recommended. Funding will come from Account #109-214-541-033.13 79 J BOOK. 80 F��,E