Of the $1.4 billion in rail infrastructure funding announced by the Biden administration on Monday, more than $58 million is coming to railroad improvement projects in Florida.
Five projects are getting millions in federal dollars to help improve rail travel in Florida, and two are notable in Central Florida.
Almost $7 million will be used to enhance 110 highway-rail grade crossings along the Central Florida Rail Corridor, which is used by SunRail, Amtrak and freight rail carriers.
The project would also work to address reduce pedestrian trespassing by directing people to proper crossings using pavement markings, signage, surface upgrades and installation of traffic signal equipment.
Brightline is working on the other Central Florida project set to receive funding. The federal government awarded the company $1.6 million for a program that uses artificial intelligence software to gather data on where people are trespassing along their tracks.
Just last week, the Florida Department of Transportation was highlighting Rail Safety Week and the importance of staying off the tracks.
“It is private property and it is considered trespassing,” FDOT safety administrator Loreen Bobo said. “But if you’re walking along there and that train comes along, and if you’re 3 feet from the track, that train hangs 3 feet either side. If it hits you there’s a decent chance you’re not going to survive.”
The three other Florida projects are track improvements and upgrades in the Panhandle, enhancements to the Southwest Florida Rail Corridor and a University of South Florida program to promote railroad careers.