Commission authorizes chair to sign letter supporting FDOT grant for passenger-rail crossing safety

Brevard County commissioners authorized the chair to sign a letter supporting the Florida Department of Transportation's application for a federal grant to improve passenger-rail crossings.

Jim Lesfeldt, County staff, said the statewide grant would target about 900 crossings with passenger-rail service (examples cited: Tri-Rail, SunRail, Amtrak). The grant would be eligible for 80% federal funding with a 20% local match; DOT indicated a local match for Brevard's portion could be about 5% (estimated at roughly $150,000 over five years), with railroad partners potentially covering half of the remaining 10% match.

Staff asked for board approval to send a letter stating Brevard County will work to assemble any necessary local match. A motion to authorize the chair to sign the letter was approved by the commission.

Staff said the grant application deadline was February 6 and told commissioners the letter would be finalized and signed on behalf of the county if the board approved.

No specific local funding commitment was authorized at the meeting; staff emphasized the letter was to signal support for the state application and to cooperate in exploring local match options as needed.