HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982 Party ResponsibilityFlorida _- =d;:3j' =40 Department of Transportat on
PAUL N. PAPPAS
`806 GRAHAM - SECRETARY -
GOVERNOR - ..
-780 Southwest' 24th Street RECEIVED SEP 2 7 1982
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315 -2696
Telephone: 305- 524 -8621
September 23, 1982
Hon. Pat Flood, Jr.
Mayor .k
City of Sebastian r
P. 0. Box 127
t
Sebastian, Florida 32958
Dear Mayor Flood:` °L
Re: Responsibilities of Parties to Maintenance.Agreements
for Signalized /Rail Highway Grade Crossings on the State
Highway System
Recent inquiries. have. caused us to.review the responsibilities of
the various parties involved when traffic signals that -are preempted at
rail /highway grade crossings require changes.. The purpose of this
letter is to clarify each party's responsibility.
There are two situations to be addressed with existing signals.
The first is one in which the maintaining agency must replace the
traffic control equipment, due to a knockdown or other incident which
destroys the existing equipment. In the event that equipment necessary
for- restoration of the same operation is unavailable.._ for immediate
installation, -the . maintaining. agency is required to restore. the safest
possible operation with available equipment. The maintaining agency
must immediately notify the railroad company, the local police
department, and the Florida Department of Transportation of the
situation and the temporary measures taken. All contacts should be
documented in writing by the maintaining agency to cover any potential
liabilities.
The second situation is one in which the maintaining agency
perceives an immediate need to modify the traffic control equipment to
provide a safer operation. Because this may change the terms of the
original agreement, the maintaining agency must receive prior approval
from the State and from the railroad company. Initially, verbal
contact with appropriate documentation is suitable. A change of this
nature may require a change order, a supplement to the original
agreement or a new agreement. These documents will be developed by
Mr. David Young, District IV Railroad Coordinator. He can advise you
September 23, 1982
Page Two
directly on the type of agreement that is in effect and how it can
be
amended.; Again, any verbal notification or agreements should
be
documented -by the maintaining agencies.
.We hope that this will clarify what actions need to be taken
in
situations involving traffic signals at railroad grade crossings on
the
State Highway System. In the event of an .emergency or the need for
an .
immediate change, as described above, the following railroad company
representatives should be contacted:
Florida East Coast Railway Company
Mr. Howard Webb
Post Office Drawer 1048
St.. Augustine, Florida 32084
Telephone: (904) 829 -3421
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company
Mr. Robert Parker
500 Water Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Telephone: (904) 359- 3693
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you should have
any further questions, please contact this office.
Sincerely,
civ�rc.d Ir
James P. ynold, P.E.
Assistant District
Traffic Operations Engineer
JPR:ma
cc: :Messrs. Howard Webb
Robert Parker
Earnest Salley
Ron Magahey
David Young