HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-044ABOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Bob Solari..
Chairman
District 5
Susan Adams
Vice Chairman
District 1
Joseph E. Flescher
District 2
Tim Zorc
District 3
Peter D. O'Bryan
District .4
March 14; 2019
Kevin J: Thibault, PE
Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450
Re: Safety Concerns Related to the Brightline Higher -speed Rail Project
Dear Secretary Thibault:
As Chairman of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, I would like to thank you for the
. opportunity to meet with: you and key members of your staffon March 27th in Tallahassee concerning the
Bightline higher -speed rail project. We have been trying to have a real conversation with FDOT about our
concerns with the safety of this project, without success, fora number of years. Prior to the start of Brightline's
operations it might have been said that our concerns for the safety of our residents were speculative. With 16
Brightline deaths and multiple injuries it is now clear.that our concerns are real and significant.
I will note that in addition, to the deaths and injuries caused by Brightline, the State's October 31, 2018,
OPPAGA report, "Florida Passenger Rail System Study," makes multiple important points. I will mention just
three:
1. Florida's passenger rail system average fatality rate is. 3.5 times higher than the overall national rate.
2. There is a gap in federaland state regulations governing higher -speed rail operations, and
3. "FDOT can also implement federal guidelines as state -level regulations."
It is important to realize that in Brightline's south Florida operations the trains travel at less -than 80 MPH. If the
rail service is extended through the Treasure Coast it will be traveling through our downtowns at speeds up to
110 MPH. Deaths will continue to. mount.
As a county commissioner 1 have watchedFDOT and our MPO work together to build safer, roads and 1 believe.
it when an FDOT official 'says, referring tothe state road. system, `-`safety is our first priority." 1 look forward to
beginning the dialogue about the safety of Brightline with you in Tallahassee on March 27th and hope to
continue the conversation on the Treasure Coast'at a future convenient date.
We look forward to working with you and the Department: of Transportation to save lives:
Sincerely,
Bob Solari, Chairman
1,801 27th Street, Building A
Vero Beach, FL 32960 ..
(772) 2264490