FDOT, railroads propose major changes to address safety concerns along Front Street

Reporter - News Analyst

November 1, 2016 11:57 a.m.

Fernandina Beach City Manager Dale Martin today released an FDOT email dated October 28, 2016 regarding the Alachua rail opening.  And the recommendations are bound to create another local controversy.

The FDOT recommendations are presented below in their entirety.

------ Original message------

From: Regalado, Laura

Date: Fri, Oct 28, 2016 2:45 PM

To: Dale Martin;

Cc:

Subject:FW: Alachua Opening

Dale,

As you know, myself (FDOT Rail Crossing Opening/Closure Program Manager) and Scott Allbritton (FDOT Rail Crossing Safety Program Manager) met with representatives from CSX, Genesse & Wyoming, and First Coast Railroad in Fernandina Beach on 10/13 and 10/14. We discussed the pending application to open a new railroad-highway at-grade crossing at Alachua Street in Fernandina Beach. After reviewing all the options, the FDOT and railroads recommend the following approach:

1. Close the existing at-grade crossing at Center Street to vehicular traffic, but maintain a pedestrian crossing

2. Open a new one way at-grade crossing at Alachua Street

3. Maintain the existing two-way at-grade crossing at Ash Street

4. Establish the new traffic pattern on Front Street to be one-way south between Alachua and Ash

5. Maintain and extend the one-way north traffic pattern on 2nd Street between Ash and Alachua

6. Use state safety funds to upgrade the existing crossing at Ash with new flashing lights and gates and pedestrian gates

7. Work with the FDOT and railroads to create a pedestrain safety and channelization plan that will reduce if not eliminate the pedestrain tresspassing on the tracks.

I am happy to meet with City representatives to discuss the postive outcomes we see with from this approach. I would also be happy to participate in a design workshop to present these suggestions to the citizens.

See schematic below:

Laura Regalado

Rail Crossing Opening/Closure Program

Florida Department of Transportation

Office of Freight, Logistics, and Passenger Operations

605 Suwannee Street, MS-25

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450

Phone: (850) 414-4528

Fax: (850) 414-4508

E-Mail: Laura.Regalado@dot.state.fl.us

*********

City Manager Martin released a statement clarifying that the message from Ms. Laura Regalado (FDOT) represents an initial recommendation related to the re-opening of the Alachua Street crossing. He wrote, "At this time, discussions with the City Commission have not occurred, and no immediate action based on this recommendation is expected."

Because these are informal FDOT recommendations, there is no formal notice/comment  period in effect, and nothing will be implemented unless formal recommendations are issued.

The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) during its Goal Setting Session in early 2016 identified the  opening Alachua Street rail crossing as one of their major goals.  Subsequent to the FBCC's decision, Martin has worked with representatives of both FDOT and the railroads to achieve that goal.

The railroads have expressed ongoing concerns with pedestrian and vehicular obstruction and trespass along the Front Street rail beds.  The increasing popularity of Fernandina Beach as a tourist destination, the proliferation of restaurants and businesses in the downtown area, the boat ramp traffic and other factors have all raised heightened safety and liability concerns for the railroad.

It is not clear at this time whether FDOT and the railroads would back off these concerns if the request to open the Alachua crossing were to be withdrawn.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.