It’s better luck next year for state Sen. Debbie Mayfield’s legislative efforts to enhance safety along the deadly Virgin Trains USA passenger rail corridor before it’s extended through Indian River County.
Florida lawmakers ended the 2020 legislative session Saturday without enacting Mayfield’s proposed High Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act.
“Sen. Mayfield wants to address it preventatively and save lives and protect communities before it reaches them,” said Mayfield aide Adrienne Cronebaugh. “This is a passion issue for her, so she will continue her efforts.”
Virgin Trains, which killed 36 people during its first two year’s operating in South Florida, is constructing high-speed tracks between Orlando and West Palm Beach in hopes of extending service by late 2022. Virgin Trains would run through Indian River County at speeds of up to 110 mph 34 times per day.
The bill Mayfield filed Oct. 25 would have required Florida Department of Transportation to exert more authority over high speed passenger rail projects and operations, like Virgin Trains.
The bill would have also required tighter safety mechanisms at railroad crossings, more fencing along train tracks and new training for local public safety workers, among other items.
State Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, filed a companion bill in the House, also on Oct. 25.
Mayfield’s bill was approved by a 7-0 vote in the Infrastructure and Security Committee on Jan. 21, but never made it to the Senate floor for a vote, state records show.
Sirois bill was referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but never came up for a vote, records show.
Despite the setback, Cronebaugh said Mayfield will continue trying to increase FDOT’s role in passenger rail safety and push for more safety precautions for Virgin Trains and related projects.
“They’re under construction right now, but it doesn’t change the fact these improvements need to be made,” Cronebaugh said about the safety measures. “Deaths continue. Accidents are continuing to happen. It can’t be ignored.”
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