HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-064RESOLUTION NO. 2020- 064
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, IN SUPPORT OF THE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
STUDY ACT INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMEN POSEY
AND MAST
WHEREAS, the All Aboard Florida/Brightline/Virgin Trains higher speed passenger rail
system proposes to travel from Miami to Orlando International Airport by way of the Florida East
Coast Railway corridor; and
WHEREAS, All Aboard Florida/Brightline/Virgin Trains intends to operate 34 passenger
trains at a maximum speed of 110 miles per hour on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor
through populated areas of Indian River County, including Vero Beach, Sebastian, and the
communities of Gifford, Roseland, Wabasso, and Winter Beach; and
WHEREAS, Indian River County has significant safety concerns about All Aboard
FloridaBrightline/Virgin Trains traversing at such high speeds along an open railroad corridor and
across 31 highway -railroad grade crossings; and
WHEREAS, between 2018 and 2020, there have been 50 pedestrian deaths and 74 total
deaths involving all rail operations on the shared Florida East Coast Railway corridor;
WHEREAS, between 2018 and 2020, there have been 25 pedestrian deaths and 43 total
deaths involving only All Aboard Florida/Brightline/Virgin Trains higher -speed passenger rail
operations on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor; and
WHEREAS, in July of 2020, U.S. Representatives Bill Posey (R -FL) and Brian Mast (R-
FL) introduced the Pedestrian Safety Study Act to direct the Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to study motorist and pedestrian safety
along the proposed All Aboard Florida/Brightline/Virgin Trains higher -speed train corridor; and
WHEREAS, upon the Pedestrian Safety Study Act becoming federal law, the FRA and
FHWA would be required to complete the Pedestrian Safety Study and provide a report to the
United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the Florida Department of
Transportation within two years.
WHEREAS, an amendment offered by Representatives Posey and Mast to include the
Pedestrian Safety Study Act within House Resolution 76167, the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations
Act, was adopted with bi-partisan support by the United States House of Representatives on July
31, 2020; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The above "WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct, and are hereby adopted
as findings of the Board.
Section 2. The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County supports the
Posey -Mast Pedestrian Safety Study Act and respectfully requests the United States Senate
include the Pedestrian Safety Study Act within any forthcoming appropriations legislation which
may be considered by the United States Senate.
Section 3. A certified copy of this resolution shall be provided to United States
Congressmen Bill Posey and Brian Mast, United States Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott,
Florida Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Florida State Senator Debbie Mayfield, and
Florida State Representative Erin Grail.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner 0' Bryan , and
seconded by Commissioner Flescher , and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as
follows:
Chairman Susan Adams AYE
Vice Chairman Joe Flescher AYE
Commissioner Tim Zorc AYE
Commissioner Peter O'Bryan AYE
Commissioner Bob Solari
AYE
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 18`h day of
August, 2020.
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Court BOARD OF COUNTY CO ISSI ' ERS
IN1 `R ER COUNT *f "'J *;
By:
and Com
Clerk
trollerditi/d
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
By:
ylan Reingold, County Attorney
By:
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usan Adams, Chairman
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