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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />Bob Solari.. <br />Chairman <br />District 5 <br />Susan Adams <br />Vice Chairman <br />District 1 <br />Joseph E. Flescher <br />District 2 <br />Tim Zorc <br />District 3 <br />Peter D. O'Bryan <br />District .4 <br />March 14; 2019 <br />Kevin J: Thibault, PE <br />Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation <br />605 Suwannee Street <br />Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 <br />Re: Safety Concerns Related to the Brightline Higher -speed Rail Project <br />Dear Secretary Thibault: <br />As Chairman of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to thank you for the <br />. opportunity to meet with: you and key members of your staffon March 27th in Tallahassee concerning the <br />Bightline higher -speed rail project. We have been trying to have a real conversation with FDOT about our <br />concerns with the safety of this project, without success, fora number of years. Prior to the start of Brightline's <br />operations it might have been said that our concerns for the safety of our residents were speculative. With 16 <br />Brightline deaths and multiple injuries it is now clear.that our concerns are real and significant. <br />I will note that in addition, to the deaths and injuries caused by Brightline, the State's October 31, 2018, <br />OPPAGA report, "Florida Passenger Rail System Study," makes multiple important points. I will mention just <br />three: <br />1. Florida's passenger rail system average fatality rate is. 3.5 times higher than the overall national rate. <br />2. There is a gap in federaland state regulations governing higher -speed rail operations, and <br />3. "FDOT can also implement federal guidelines as state -level regulations." <br />It is important to realize that in Brightline's south Florida operations the trains travel at less -than 80 MPH. If the <br />rail service is extended through the Treasure Coast it will be traveling through our downtowns at speeds up to <br />110 MPH. Deaths will continue to. mount. <br />As a county commissioner 1 have watchedFDOT and our MPO work together to build safer, roads and 1 believe. <br />it when an FDOT official 'says, referring tothe state road. system, `-`safety is our first priority." 1 look forward to <br />beginning the dialogue about the safety of Brightline with you in Tallahassee on March 27th and hope to <br />continue the conversation on the Treasure Coast'at a future convenient date. <br />We look forward to working with you and the Department: of Transportation to save lives: <br />Sincerely, <br />Bob Solari, Chairman <br />1,801 27th Street, Building A <br />Vero Beach, FL 32960 .. <br />(772) 2264490 <br />