PORT ST LUCIE, Fla.-- THE PUBLIC IS COMING BY THE THOUSANDS TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD ON ALL ABOARD FLORIDA. The new high speed rail plans to add 32 trains a day traveling from Miami to Orlando. In the middle of that route is where the public gets upset with the new passenger rail service. A public comment meeting in Port St Lucie today displayed how All Aboard Florida would address the impacts on the community. The animation from All Aboard Florida on a plasma TV shows white squares line up to pass through a crossing, then on a cue , motor on in a line. This is the example of how boater traffic will flow at bridge crossings over water in Tequesta and Stuart when All Aboard Florida adds 32 trains a day. Going through 2 by 2? really? said Pat Weiner, a boater, “I’ve had to fight the rip currents while that bridge has gone down, and they go through 2 by 2, nice and neat. What we go through waiting without hitting each other is really not easy. And it’s not safe. The Federal Railroad Administration public comment period is to address the Environmental Impact Study that investigates impacts of the new high speed rail. But the FRA does not have the authority to shut down the train from coming through. The FRA can only to enforce safety standards and environmental laws. It’s not like an election, say if you are for, or are opposed to the project—Our role at the FRA is more a matter of if it meets safety standards and complies with environmental laws. Thompson said, “The reason we have these sorts of events, the reason we have a 75 day comment period is so we can hear from the public and better understand what they perceive to be the issues and how this project might impact them. The FRA studies ways the impacts on the community can be minimized and makes those recommendations to All Aboard Florida. “Our final environmental document has to reference those to show how those comments have been addressed, Thompson said, So, they are making their voices heard, but we hope they are adding substantive comment to the process and I would recommend they get on the record. It is the same record that will be used by the Coast Guard. The FRA is only involved because All Aboard Florida was seeking a federal loan from the government. They are not tax dollars in the sense its a loan that is going to be repaid with interest to the federal government. its not a grant, Thompson said. The funds would be paid back at the Fed interest rate. But now All Aboard Florida is looking at bonds to finance their project. The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council reports boater delays will increase from 14 percent to 42 percent once All Aboard Florida hits the tracks. AAF will add tracks to allow 2 trains to pass at once to reduce the number of closings. The opposition is hoping the next round of hearings with the Coast Guard to permit the crossings, could be their next way to stop the train, but All Aboard Florida is asking for permits—not funding. They own the tracks. US Coast Guard All Aboard Florida Crossings Meetings: Nov. 12, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood. Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the John F. Armstrong Wing Auditorium of the Blake Library in Stuart at 2351 S.E. Monterey Road.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 11:20:25 +0000
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