Tallahassee - Monday August 15, 2022: The nation’s deadliest railroad will get some added fencing to keep pedestrians off its tracks thanks to $25-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In the past two weeks alone three people have died after being struck by trains operated by Brightline, a privately owned passenger line. In all 68 people have been killed since Brightline started its first runs five years ago, according to Federal Railroad Administration data reported by the Associated Press. That is the worst fatality rate among the nation’s more than 800 railroads.
The Florida Department of Transportation Monday announced that it will work with Brightline to build fencing and make other improvements at rail crossings to enhance safety along the tracks being laid down by Brightline which is building a rail link from Miami to Tampa.
In a news release FDOT said 33 miles of pedestrian protection features will be constructed at 328 roadway-railroad grade crossings along the Florida East Coast Corridor from Miami-Dade, through Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Brevard Counties. Included in the plan are raised pavement markers, edge striping, fencing and additional safety signage.
Smart St. Augustine
Another $12-million dollar grant from the federal government will fund improvements to the Smart St. Augustine project which proposes the deployment of innovative transportation technologies to manage congestion, improve safety, and enhance environmental sustainability in that city.
The project will provide smart traffic signals to reduce delays, sensors to detect street flooding, audible crosswalk signals for the deaf, parking and traveler information systems, amongst other improvements.