Over the last several weeks, CSX Railroad has been replacing railroad ties through out downtown Brooksville. The traffic has been re-routed in the downtown district to accommodate CSX Railroad's maintenance project. Hernando County Department of Public Works and the city of Brooksville's DPW are replacing the asphalt and road base at the rail crossings. CSX Railroad takes the position that the roads were built over their tracks so it is the responsibility of Hernando County government and the city of Brooksville to make the road repairs. The taxpayers are ultimately held responsible for these costs for the numerous man-hours and materials used at the road crossings, such as those repairs at Main Street, Martin Luther King Blvd and Jefferson Street, repairs that should be the responsibility of CSX Railroad.
Not only are the taxpayers being held responsible for these local repairs at rail crossings but now the Florida Senate is preparing to give approximately $650 million to CSX Railroad, a for-profit company, in a year with state and local budget shortfalls. After reading Senator Paula Dockery's newsletter, it is apparent that no legislative committee has reviewed the details of this appropriation, nor has there been any legislative oversight in this deal between Florida Department of Transportation and CSX. This deal is getting its political muscle from Orlando legislators, according to Senator Dockery who is fighting this appropriation. This $650 million appropriation to CSX is an addition to yearly operating and maintenance dollars for the railroad from the state coffers.
Senator Paula Dockery has sponsored SB 2512. This bill will ensure legislative oversight for transportation projects of FDOT over $75 million. Senator Dockery needs to be commended for her effort of oversight of this CSX Railroad project along, and the overall oversight of our tax dollars being spent in FDOT. Local government needs to stand behind Senator Dockery and request that some of this FDOT revenue to replenish their budgets for the cost of the repairs at the CSX rail crossings.
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Did you know that at most railroad grade crossings, the railroad owns the right-of-way? That's because in most cases the railroad was there first. Because the railroad allows the road agency (DOT, County or city) to cross its right-of-way by agreement, those agreements tend to dictate that most repairs are the responsibility of the road agency. I have had the misfortune of attempting to negotiate with CSX on several occasions. It is a very one-sided process, precisely because the road agencies in most cases have only those legal rights that CSX chooses to grant. On the other hand, the railroad in most cases does not charge for use of its right-of-way, except when crossing improvements are required. You do know that the federal government's laws and rules mandate a level of maintenance to the entire track structure in the name of safety? In the case of what's been happening here, the railroad needs to replace crossties under the grade crossing, so they can continue running the trains that drive the local industry that uses their services. Now if you really want to complain, I think you have a legitimate beef with the so-called re-construction of the Main St. crossing in front of your business...you can't take it faster than 10 mph without risking serious vehicle damage. Compare that with the nice smooth work at the Jefferson St. crossing and you have to wonder why the difference.
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