Vero News > All News > News > Sen. Mayfield’s passenger rail safety bill dies in committee

Sen. Mayfield’s passenger rail safety bill dies in committee

Written by: March 19 2020
facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
PHOTO BY LEIGH GREEN

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.”

facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
+100%-

Related Articles

Deputies ID man fatally struck by Brightline

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man who deputies said was wearing headphones when he was struck and killed by a Brightline train on Tuesday, was identified as Bryan De Paz Vazquez. The man lived in Indian River County, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "Witnesses said Vazquez was seen going underneath the lowered railroad arm and attempted to run across the tracks," sheriff's officials said in a statement. "There is no indication that this was a suicide and no foul play is suspected." The incident happened at 2:58 p.m. at the 12th Street Railroad crosswalk near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, west of U.S. 1 and east of Old Dixie ...

Man struck, killed by Brightline train at 12th Street crossing

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man was killed after being struck by a Brightline train at the 12th Street Railroad crossing on Tuesday afternoon, sheriff's officials said. This is the third fatal crash involving Brightline and a pedestrian to occur this year in Indian River County. "The train was southbound and the (crossing) arms were down," said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "According to the witness, all of the (crossing) arms and (flashing red) lights were activated and they could hear the train horn approaching." The most recent incident happened about 2:58 p.m. near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, just west of U.S. 1. and east of Old Dixie Highway, ...

Huge backups on first day of bridge closure

The first two days of the week-long total closure of the 17th Street Bridge went about as expected – with long lines on the alternate route between the island and the mainland of Vero Beach, the Merrill P. Barber Bridge and its approaches. Motorists traveling between the island and the mainland found out that it took them about twice as long as normal to reach their destinations as all traffic that normally takes the 17th Street Bridge, about 20,000 vehicles per day and perhaps more in season – was detoured and rerouted to the Barber bridge. The Vero Beach Police Department warned motorists about delays and said it had officers out on Indian River Boulevard Tuesday to help direct the ...

Comments