Publish Date:
Tuesday, December 24, 2019 - 11:30am
THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS REJECTED INDIAN RIVER COUNTY'S CLAIMS OF IMPROPERLY APPROVED FUNDS FOR BRIGHTLINE/VIRGIN TRAINS USA FRIDAY.
However, this is not the end to the fight.
Sen. Debbie Mayfield and Rep. Tyler Sirois have both filed the Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act, which would have the Department of Transportation "regulate railroads when that authority is not federally preempted" as well as ensuring private railroad companies pay for the cost and maintenance of safety measures.
More than 40 people have been fatally struck by Brightline/Virgin trains since Jan 2017, having the "highest fatality rate among the nations's 821 railroads."