Res 45-01RESOLUTION NO. 45-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COlvlMISSION OF THE crlY OF DEI_aRAY
BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHIvlENT OF AMTRAK
PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN JACKSONVILLE AND MIAMI
ALONG THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA; AND AN EFFECT/VE DATE.
WHERF~S, Amtrak and the Florida East Coast Railroad have announced they have signed an agreement
that will make possible passenger and improved freight rail service to the East Coast of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the passenger service will consist of two daily round trip trains, with each train carrying up
to 300 passengers; and
WHERF_~S, this critical addition of our transportation infrastructure depends on a one-time Florida
Department of Transportation investment of approximately $62.5 million, of which $15.5 million is already set aside; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak trains will provide stops in St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cocoa/Pon
Canaveral, Mdboume, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce and Smart; and
WHEREAS, these communities are not presently accessible by passenger rail service; and
WHEREAS, the project will offer rail transportation as an alternative to residents and tourists and help
ease our overcrowded highways; and
WHEREAS, the train service is part of a larger restructuring of Amtrak service to Florida that will result
in increased service to many parts of the state.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section I. The City of Delray Beach supports the establishment of Amtrak passenger rail service between
Jacksonville and Miami along the East Coast of Florida.
Section 2. The City of Delray Beach urges the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida State
Legislature and Govemor Jeb Bush to support and fund the establishment of such passenger rail service.
Section 3. The City of Delray Beach also urges that passenger rail service on the Florida East Coast
Railroad tracks should include stops in Delray Beach and other dties between West Palm Beach and Miami in addition to
stops in cities north of West Palm Beach.
Section 4. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption by the City
Commission of the City of Ddray Beach, Florida.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this the 10th day of July, 2001.
MAYOR
Acting City Clerk
JEB BUSH
GOVERNOR
Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, FlorIda 32399-0450
July 24, 2001
THOMAS E BARRY, JR.
SECRETARY
Ms. Barbara Garito, CMC
Acting City Clerk
City of Delray Beach
100 N.W. 1~t Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Dear Ms. Garito:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the proposed Amtrak/FEC
passenger rail service along the east coast of the State. Governor Bush asked that the
Department respond to your letter
Over the past several months, the Department has been actively engaged with both
Amtrak and the FEC regarding the implementation of this service. It is expected that
capital improvements including additional tracks, grade-crossing improvements and
stations will cost approximately $64 million. The Department has $15.5 million available
for this project and the FEC has proposed to contribute $3 million. While we continue to
believe in the importance of this project and in its transportation significance to the east
coast of Florida, we do not have additional funds to allocate to it at this time.
The Department will look at opportunities to seek further state funding for this project
from the Legislature next year, possibly through a Transportation Outreach Program
(TOP) application However, I strongly encourage Palm Beach County and other
communities along this corridor to also look at increasing their funding commitments. Of
the total project cost, only 4.7% is offered by the FEC and less than 4% is identified as
the local share. Increasing the contribution of FEC and local governments would make
this project a more equitable proposition.
Once again, thank you for your interest and involvement in this important issue.
Marion Hart, Jr
State Public Transporta
Administrator
~on
www.d or.state fl. u s I~ RECYCLEO p^pER
JEB BUSH
GOVERNOR
Florida Department of Transportation
005 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450
July 19, 2001
THOMAS E BARRY, JR.
SECRETARY
Ms. Barbara Garito, CMC
Acting City Clerk
City of Delray Beach
100 N.W. 1a Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Dear Ms. Garito:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the proposed Amtrak/FEC
passenger rail service along the east coast of the State. Governor Bush asked that the
Department respond to your letter.
Over the past several months, the Department has been actively engaged with both
Amtrak and the FEC regarding the implementation of this service. It is expected that
capital improvements including additional tracks, grade-crossing improvements and
stations will cost approximately $64 million. The Department has $15 5 million available
for this project and the FEC has proposed to contribute $3 million. While we continue to
believe in the importance of this project and in its transportation significance to the east
coast of Florida, we do not have additional funds to allocate to it at this time.
The Department will look at opportunities to seek further state funding for this project
from the Legislature next year, possibly through a Transportation Outreach Program
(TOP) application. However, I strongly encourage Palm Beach County and other
communities along this corridor to also look at increasing their funding commitments. Of
the total project cost, only 4.7% is offered by the FEC and less than 4% is identified as
the local share Increasing the contribution of FEC and local governments would make
this project a more equitable proposition.
Once again, thank you for your interest and involvement in this important issue.
RECEIVED ~
CITY C:LB~K State PubY~c Transpotttation
.... Administrator
I~RECYCLEDPAPER