The TC Palm – Three sheriffs warn of All Aboard Florida dangers

Lisa Broadt

Increased rail traffic “can and will” delay first responders and could put lives in danger, according a letter sent Monday to All Aboard Florida President P. Michael Reininger from Treasure Coast sheriffs William Snyder, Martin County; Ken Mascara, St. Lucie County; and Deryl Loar, Indian River County.

The sheriffs join local hospitals, schools, civic groups and most local governments in formally expressing reservations about or opposing All Aboard Florida, a proposed $3 billion high-speed passenger rail project. It would begin running 32 trains a day between Miami and Orlando by early 2017.

The dozens of passenger and freight trains that would travel the existing Florida East Coast Railway tracks could put lives and property in danger, particularly in crowded, urban regions bisected by the tracks, such as Stuart and Fort Pierce, according to Snyder, Mascara and Loar.

“In an emergency response, a delay of seconds could mean the difference between life and death,” the sheriffs said in their letter.