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Reps. Wasserman Schultz, Frankel Stress Need for Quiet Zones in Broward, Palm Beach

05/06/14
 
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and Lois Frankel (FL-22) urged the U.S Department of Transportation, through a letter sent to Secretary Anthony Foxx, to support the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER VI) grant submitted by the Broward and Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization.  
 
With increased freight traffic and pending rail projects, such as All Aboard Florida, expected to increase the number of trains running along the route north from Miami, the funds from these grants would help to mitigate the impacts on the neighboring communities. These upgrades would involve creating quiet zones to address the increased noise, and several improvements to railway crossing to ensure safety.  The letter to Secretary Foxx was also signed by Reps. Alcee Hastings, Frederica Wilson and Ted Deutch.  (Please find below a copy of the letter).
 
The Honorable Anthony Foxx
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
 
Dear Secretary Foxx:
 
As members of the Broward and Palm Beach County congressional delegations, we write to express our strong support for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER VI) Grant application submitted to you by the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Palm Beach MPO. 
 
The initiative proposed in this application, the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) Crossing Safety Improvements, will help fund transformative safety enhancements along the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties, which will reduce neighborhood impacts from increased freight and improve livability for our constituents.
 
As the exclusive provider of rail services to the Port of Miami, Port Everglades, and the Port of Palm Beach, the FECR transports an enormous amount of cargo and goods through multiple Florida communities. This traffic continues to grow exponentially as the national economy recovers and the regional ports attract increased investment. The number of trains running along this corridor is expected to increase from a maximum of 14 trains per day to as many as 46 or even 90 if certain projects are approved.  
 
In order to mitigate the impacts of additional trains and to ensure the safety of neighboring communities, the Broward and Palm Beach MPOs’ plan to implement a series of roadway and railway crossing improvements is crucial to the safety of our constituents. This TIGER award would help the MPOs facilitate upgrades to more than 175 existing rail/roadway intersections to have four-quadrant gates, raised medians, pedestrian access management, technology, and other safety enhancements consistent with the Federal Railroad Administration’s recommendations to maximize safety. 
 
We are confident that this project is a worthwhile and necessary investment to provide for the continued safety and well-being of South Florida residents.  For these reasons, we urge your full and fair consideration for the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) Crossing Safety Improvements project initiated by the Broward MPO and Palm Beach MPO.  
 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Lois Frankel
Member of Congress   
 
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Member of Congress
 
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress                                                   
 
Theodore E. Deutch
Member of Congress
 
Frederica Wilson
Member of Congress
 
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