4/16/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Director Davis said it's difficult to predict the growth rate there, but historically that should serve the Sebastian area for approximately five to ten years, after which we probably look at seven-laning the roadway. Chairman Bird opened the public hearing. Fred Mensing came before the Board and asked if the Board would consider consolidating the discussion of this item with Public Works Item 1 since they cover the same project. Director Davis explained the item Mr. Mensing is referring to is a Florida DOT needs assessment item. DOT has had a series of meetings recently with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to identify transportation needs in the District Four area. Staff has communicated to the DOT, and DOT has included in its needs assessment program this project of the railroad crossing over the CR512 corridor. Commissioner Bowman clarified it's not on their ten-year work plan but simply an assessment of need. Chairman Bird asked Mr. Mensing to proceed. Fred Mensing stated, for the record, he is a resident of Roseland and represents himself, not any body or organization specifically. He spoke in favor of the railroad separation at CR512 and enumerated his reasons as follows: (1) public safety versus trains at grade crossings; (2) with trains of 75 cars reaching a mile in length, crossings could be blocked by a train accident causing delays in getting emergency vehicles to and from the scene; (3) the land east of the twin pairs project which is presently owned by the County could be sold and land west of the twin pairs project could be sold or held as a hedge for future light rail lines to the west County to connect with high-speed rail lines running north and south in Osceola County, if it is ever built. He thought the cost of the grade separation is overstated because many railroads store usable but abandoned bridges, and by contacting the chief mechanical officers of track and structures, an inventory of these bridges could be found and probably a bridge could be bought for the project where we would only have to build the necessary head walls. He felt a six -lane bridge would last our lifetime, plus, and with proper contracting and engineering, the work from Louisiana Avenue to U. S.1, including the bridge, could be completed in six months, during the off -tourism season. He mentioned alternate routes that could be used as detours during construction. Mr. Mensing felt we can ill -afford the saving of dollars by building the twin pairs and if the funds are not all available now, he would advise building the four lanes west of Louisiana Avenue on the present right-of-way now and the bridge 23 Uffalts MIM 0) �6[4 Fi UE 1UZ