BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The way is paved for safety work to begin on seven railroad crossings throughout Melbourne, Cocoa and Brevard County upon the reciept of a highly sought-after $4.9 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Part of more than $1.1 billion in new Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program awards disbursed this week, the $4.9 million grant will cover 80% of the cost of a $6.1 million effort to enhance highway-railroad grade crossings with new exit gates, a stated attempt to prevent drivers from skirting crossing gates and placing themselves in harm’s way. The remaining 20% will be paid by Brevard County, the city of Cocoa and the city of Melbourne, according to the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO).
“At the SCTPO, safety is our top priority as we plan for tomorrow’s transportation system. These proposed enhancements represent a significant step forward to ensure the safety of all road users, in alignment with Vision Zero goals to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on roadways,” Georganna Gillette, executive director of SCTPO, said in a statement.
Each of the crossings under the knife currently feature two quadrant gates on the approach lanes, but no physical barriers on the exiting lanes, thus allowing vehicles to illegally maneuver around the gates, according to SCTPO.
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The proposed enhancements are for the following grade crossings:
- Michigan Ave. (Cocoa) - New Median + Exit Gate (SE)
- Dixon Blvd. (Cocoa) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
- West Highlands Dr. (Cocoa) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
- Masterson St. (Melbourne) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
- New Haven Ave. (Melbourne) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
- Line St. (W.H. Jackson St.) (Melbourne) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
- Holly St. (Micco) - New Exit Gates (NW & SE)
Melbourne’s city council tangled last year with Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) over the yet-unfunded safety upgrades. While the city has long wanted to install more gates at the crossings, FEC’s approval was said to be dependent on the closure of two crossings in south Melbourne, what City Manager Jenni Lamb told News 6 was “a bully tactic.”
Florida Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indian Harbour Beach, said in a statement Friday congratulating the grant that government has no higher priority than the safety of the people.
“These new gate-crossing technologies will reduce crashes by preventing vehicles from crossing the tracks at illegal and dangerous times. I salute the TPO and its partners for coming together to support the vital safety of our important freight and passenger rail transportation system,” Haridopolos stated.
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