- $25 million allocated for safety improvements between Miami-Dade and Brevard counties.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has focused on a rash of rail deaths in Florida.
- Safety programs will become even more critical when the line opens its 170-mile extension next year.
The U.S. Government has budgeted $25 million for safety enhancements between Miami-Dade and Brevard counties; railroad and government officials will announce on Monday; in yet another effort to reduce deaths and injuries along the Brightline’s train path.
In Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River; and Brevard counties along the Florida East Coast Railway line; which is used by Brightline, the money is helping to cover $45 million in measures; that will include upgrades at 328 roadway-railroad grade crossings and 33 miles; of pedestrian protection features.
Currently, Brightline has a daily schedule that includes stops in the downtowns of Fort Lauderdale; West Palm Beach, and Miami, with trains capable of travelling up to 79 mph.
When the line launches its 170-mile extension between West Palm Beach and Orlando early next year, the importance of the safety programmes will increase. According to the corporation, more than 80% of the construction has been finished.
Since February, the U.S. Department of Transportation has concentrated on an uptick in rail fatalities in Florida. To this end, it has convened meetings with rail operators and law enforcement officials from South Florida to identify problem areas and encourage local governments to apply for millions in federal grant money.
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The formal announcement of the most recent round of funding was expected to take place Monday morning at the Brightline station in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. This initiative was jointly pursued by the FDOT, Brightline, and Florida East Coast Railway last spring. U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, both Democrats who represent districts in Broward, as well as Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, a Republican from Miami-Dade, were also expected to make appearances.
The Republican governor Ron DeSantis’ commitment to safety was cited by the FDOT in a separate announcement. Brightline didn’t have any representatives from the state listed as expected to attend the ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.
State Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue said in a prepared statement that Governor DeSantis and the department “are committed to keeping Florida moving by continuously exploring investments and opportunities to ensure Florida has a safe and robust transportation system.”
Brightline, the FEC, and the state of Florida stated in their joint application that they would each contribute $10 million to complement the $25 million in federal monies.
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