INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSIONER LAURA MOSS SHOULD CANVASS HER COUNTY RESIDENTS INPUT ON HIGH-SPEED TRAINS, remarks Susan Mehiel, coordinator of the Alliance for Safe Trains, in a letter to the TC Palm.

"Thousands of people have supported regional train organizations over the years, contributed to our efforts and lobbied their elected officials to push the tracks west or follow the experts' recommendations for more safety features," Susan states. "We find it hard to imagine 32 trains a day going over 100 mph will be welcomed."

THE EARTHJUSTICE ORGANIZATION FILED A LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST A FEDERAL RULE that would allow trains filled with explosive liquified natural gas to travel across the country.

Under this rule, these trains would travel up to 50 mph through densely-populated cities (with tank cars that are unlikely to survive impacts at less than 30 mph).

IF YOU CAN'T CONVINCE THE PUBLIC YOU'VE GOT A GOOD IDEA, convince the politicians and let them ram it down the citizens' throats. All it takes is money.

What's $3 Million Among Friends?
According to the TC Palm/Stuart News, as little as $3 million may be all that's necessary. That's how much AAF has spent on lobbyists in Tallahassee since 2011. But, they still need some 17 permits before they can move forward. So, the budget may have to go up.

THE ALLIANCE FOR SAFE TRAINS NONPROFIT GROUP HAS RAISED $200K IN PRIVATE MONEY. This money has been raised for Indian River County to pursue its case against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration.

Indian River County had previously sued the U.S. DOT and FRA for wrongly issuing $2.7B in tax-exempt bonds, but both a federal court and a federal appeals court ruled the bonds were permissable. After $3M fighting the case, the Indian River County Commission voted in January to end further appeals.

IN APRIL 2014, FLORIDA BULLDOG REPORTED THAT BRIGHTLINE (NOW VIRGIN TRAINS, USA) REJECTED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MORE SUFFICIENT SAFETY FEATURES AT PLANNED RAIL CROSSINGS, where their train would be running up to speeds of 79 mph. These safety measures were recommended by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which included sealed corridors at 31 crossings as well as fenced bridges and underpasses.

THE INDIAN RIVER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FILED AN AMICUS BRIEF SUPPORTING INDIAN RIVER COUNTY'S APPEAL OF PABs for the privately-owned high-speed passenger rail project Virgin Trains USA, formerly Brightline.

The association argued that the U.S. Department of Transportation "misinterpreted laws in order to qualify Brightline/Virgin Trains USA for the bond financing."

Appellate Judges David S. Tatel, Patricia A. Millett and Neomi J. Rao accepted the association's brief on June 3.

Dear Mr. O’Rourke,

Per your letter below sent to a number of people on the Treasure and Space Coasts of Florida, I would like to take the opportunity to point out a number of issues.

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT INCREASED $2B TO A TOTAL OF $79B, according to a report by the High-Speed Rail Authority.

This project has been vehemently blasted by President Trump and other officials such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom comment that the full project "would cost too much and take too long."

The latest estimate for the high-speed rail project's completion is set for 2033.

Read more here.

Train Wreck Times by Susan Mehiel

Excellent News and lots of Positive Exposure!

We’re pleased to report we had major success in Brevard County recently. After talking to the Board of County Commissioners at their meeting at the end of March, we were contacted by Commissioner Tobia who offered to sponsor a resolution regarding the AAF safety issues. We were pleased to work with his staff to produce a resolution.

Train Wreck Times by Susan Mehiel - New, Notes and Event

Here’s a list of upcoming events and we encourage you to join us!

TODAY - March 19, 9:00 AM

Martin County Board of County Commissioners meeting – We will speak during Public Comment regarding the need to Make Them Safe!

Please see the agenda for location and time here.