Initiative in Glades County encourages safe railroad crossing practices

BARTOW, Fla. –The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One, in conjunction with South Central Florida Express (a regional rail provider that connects South Florida to a 170-mile freight network in five counties), have partnered on a safety initiative to bring awareness to railway crossing safety in Glades County. 

The initiative supports FDOT’s Rail Safety Week and comes in advance of the Heartland’s harvest season. The aim is to bring greater awareness of railroad crossing safety to residents, visitors and workers traveling over the numerous railroad crossings in the County.

“October also marks the beginning of harvest season for U.S. Sugar, the largest producer of sugarcane in the United States with several of its processing plants in Glades County,” explained Rail Project Manager J. J. Wren, FDOT District One Rail Team.

During the coming weeks, motorists can expect a significant increase in train traffic. Freight trains play a crucial role in the State’s supply chain network, moving goods throughout the country and strengthening Florida’s economy. 

“Travelers are urged to pay attention to advance warning signs that indicate a train is approaching and never attempt to drive around the gates.”

The harvest season brings people together, and the increase in seasonal population adds to the number of travelers on the roads. In October of 2022, and again in 2023, Glades County experienced several collisions between motorists and South Central Florida Express trains. These collisions resulted in derailments and injuries at the crossing of U.S. 27 to the east of Palmdale Sand Mine and northwest of the City of Moore Haven.  While conditions were clear and dry and the advanced warning signals were functional (as were the crossing signals and gates), these incidents still resulted in millions of dollars of losses.

###

www.swflroads.com | X:  @MyFDOT_SWFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTSWFL

The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities