Summary:
In 1992, the City of Orlando, CRA, and Florida Central Railroad (FCR) entered into an agreement which allowed the CRA to construct, reconstruct, and maintain pedestrian improvements to the railroad right-of-way. The railroad crossings and supporting equipment that are located at Beech Avenue and N. Lee Avenue were installed in 1992 as used equipment, are at least 30 years old, and repairs will be made difficult if not impossible given that replacement parts are no longer available. FCR has recommended that new, upgraded equipment be installed at these locations and that pedestrian gates be added to further safeguard pedestrians, which given the crossings close proximity to the new OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, will include a significant number of students.
The replacement equipment will meet current safety standards, have a useful life of 20 years, and will cost a total of $356,497.64. These upgrades, along with the replacement of handrails that has been completed and concrete work that has been proposed by CRA staff, will further enhance the Parramore neighborhood.
The CRA Advisory Board convened on June 28, 2017 and made a recommendation of approval for the expenditure of $356,497.64 to replace the current pedestrian railroad crossing equipment at Beech Avenue and N. Lee Avenue and add pedestrian gates at both sites.
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