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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Gov Ltr to Local Govts - FDOT Quiet Zones Florida Department of Transportation RICK SCOTT GOVERNOR 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 ANANTH PRASAD, P.E. SECRETARY www.dot.state.fl.us June 13, 2014 Re: FDOT Railroad Quiet Zones Grant Program Dear Local Government: As you are aware, HB 5001, the FY14-15 General Appropriations Act, includes a $10 million appropriation for implementing quiet zones. In accordance with this action, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been directed to develop and oversee a program for receiving and processing the associated funding requests. Most importantly, this funding is not for All Aboard Florida, or any specific private rail provider. This funding is for local communities that wish to create quiet zones in their communities. The quiet zones program will provide local governments up to 50% of incurred quiet zone expenditures. Local agencies may apply for assistance once they have met all requirements of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in accordance with 49 CFR 222 and 229. To initiate the evaluation process, jurisdictional partners would need to submit a funding request letter to the FDOT Rail Office prior to the October 15, 2014 submittal deadline. Consideration for FDOT grant funding will include the following priorities:  agency participation above 50%  appropriate provisions for crossing closures  responsible supplemental safety measures (SSM) cost management  optimal length of quiet zone development Local participation above 50% and quiet zone plans that feature provisions for crossing closures are key prioritization elements. Selected applicants will execute a Joint Rail Project Agreement (Non-Federal) establishing the scope of work and terms of payment. The department is in the preliminary stages of planning the implementation of this statewide grant program. There has been much public discussion that this $10 million appropriation is intended primarily for local governments affected by the proposed All Aboard Florida corridor. That is not the case. The appropriation is for use statewide. However, given the focus on All Aboard Florida, we are specifically trying to gauge interest in the program. As a result, it would be helpful to know if your jurisdiction intends to apply for the program, as well as a general outline of your anticipated funding need so that we can take that into account as we design an efficient and equitable program. Please contact Andre Goins, FDOT’s Rail Operations and Programs Administrator at (850) 414-4620 or andre.goins@dot.state.fl.us with this information and to discuss any questions or concerns. FY14-15 General Appropriations Act From the funds in Specific Appropriation 1890, $10,000,000 is provided for Quiet Zone improvements in response to the use of locomotive horns at highway-rail grade crossings. The department shall create a grant program for quiet zones requested by local agencies to provide funding of up to 50 percent of the nonfederal and nonprivate share of the total costs of any qualifying quiet zone capital improvement project. The department will coordinate and work closely with local, state, and federal agencies to provide technical support to local agencies in the development of quiet zone plans. Local agencies may apply for grant funds after its quiet zone plan is approved by the department. The Department of Transportation will monitor crossing incidents at approved quiet zone locations and have the right to revoke the quiet zone(s) at any time if a significant deterioration in safety results from quiet zone implementation.