Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Expect ‘humps’ at some RR crossings
Dr. Detour helps you find your way on South Florida’s exasperating roadways. Look for the column on Mondays.
Q: Why are some of the Florida East Coast railroad crossings so uneven? David Jaffess, Fort Lauderdale.
A: All railroad tracks are designed to be level even if the land under them isn’t. That means some roads have “hump” crossings because of the terrain and how the roadways were maintained over time.
“The tracks run higher through some areas,” said Ali Soule, spokeswoman for All Aboard Florida/ Brightline. “Each crossing is unique.”
There are about 200 FEC railroad crossings in South Florida, and All Aboard Florida has been upgrading many of them in preparation for the start of the Brightline high-speed passenger service scheduled to begin this summer.
There is a long list of federal regulations regarding the interaction between roads and rails, and transportation officials say it is always a good idea to slow down when approaching any crossing because cars can stop faster than trains.
Q: What happened to the HOV lanes on Interstate 95 north of Broward Boulevard — and will I get a ticket for driving in them? David Schneider, Boca Raton.
A: Those HOV/carpool lanes are gone. The overhead signs and the diamond lane markers on the pavement were removed from I-95 in both directions between Broward Boulevard and Southwest 10th Street in August to make way for ongoing express lane construction in the northern half of Broward County. Until those express lanes are completed, expected in 2020, you can drive solo in the far left lane without fear of getting a ticket from the Florida Highway Patrol.