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RESOLUTION APPROVING A TRI-PARTY AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF RAILROAD CROSSING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT CROSSING NO. 628424V, ON NW 17TH AVENUE BETWEEN NW 22ND STREET AND NW 23RD STREET; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE SAME AND EXERCISE PROVISIONS CONTAINED THEREIN

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board approves the execution of a Tri-Party Agreement between Miami-Dade County, the State of Florida Department of Transportation, and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority for the installation of railroad crossing traffic control devices at NW 17th Avenue between NW 22nd Street and NW 23rd Street, Railroad Crossing No. 628424V, in substantially the form attached hereto and made a part hereof, and authorizes the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to execute same on behalf of Miami-Dade County and to exercise the provisions contained therein.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Anthony Rodriguez
and Members of the Board of County Commissioners

From: Daniella Levine Cava
Mayor

Subject: Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Tri-Party Agreement between Miami-Dade County, the Florida Department of Transportation and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority for the Installation of Railroad Crossing Traffic Control Devices at NW 17th Avenue between NW 22nd Street and NW 23rd Street

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Executive Summary
This item seeks approval of a resolution authorizing the Administration to execute a Tri-Party Railroad Reimbursement Agreement among Miami-Dade County (County), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) for the installation and upgrade of railroad grade crossing traffic control devices at NW 17th Avenue between NW 22nd Street and NW 23rd Street (Crossing No. 628424V) along the South Florida Rail Corridor. The project will replace and modernize railroad signal safety equipment, including new gate assemblies, flashing signals, control house equipment, power systems, and associated infrastructure to improve safety at the at-grade crossing.
There is no upfront capital cost to the County, as FDOT will reimburse SFRTA for 100 percent of the installation costs under the federal Signal Safety Program (23 U.S.C. �130). However, under the agreement, the County will assume ongoing financial responsibility for certain long-term costs, including a share of annual signal maintenance costs (generally 50 percent), and future reconstruction, relocation, or improvements requested by the County.
The agreement formalizes the County�s participation in a state-led safety improvement project and establishes long-term operational and maintenance responsibilities following installation.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approve the attached resolution authorizing execution of a Tri-Party Agreement among Miami-Dade County, FDOT, and SFRTA for the installation and upgrade of railroad crossing traffic control devices at NW 17th Avenue between NW 22nd Street and NW 23rd Street.

Scope
The railroad crossing is located in Commission District 3, represented by Commissioner Keon Hardemon.


Fiscal Impact/Funding Source
There will be no fiscal impact to the County as SFRTA will be the agency responsible for the installation of the railroad signal safety equipment, and FDOT will reimburse it for 100 percent of the cost for the traffic control devices installed and upgraded. After installation, the County will assume certain ongoing obligations, including payment of approximately 50 percent of annual signal maintenance costs (subject to periodic revision under state rules), and responsibility for future reconstruction or upgrades initiated by the County or required due to roadway changes. Annual signal maintenance costs will be funded through Secondary Gas Tax funds.
Track Record/Monitor
The implementing County agency is the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), and the Project Manager responsible for monitoring this project is Nestor J. Melian, E.I.

Delegated Authority
In accordance with Section 2-8.3 of the Miami-Dade Code related to identifying delegation of Board authority, there are no authorities beyond that specified in the resolution which includes authority for the Mayor or Mayor�s designee to execute the agreement on behalf of Miami-Dade County and to exercise the provisions contained therein.

Background
This project is part of a broader state and federally funded railroad safety initiative under the Federal Highway Administration�s Railway-Highway Crossings Program (23 U.S.C. �130), which provides funding to enhance safety at public at-grade rail crossings. The improvements will be implemented along the South Florida Rail Corridor, a state-owned rail line managed and operated by SFRTA on behalf of FDOT. Under existing operating agreements, SFRTA is responsible for maintaining and operating rail infrastructure along the corridor, including signals and communications systems.
FDOT has identified the NW 17th Avenue crossing as a priority safety improvement project and is sponsoring the installation and upgrade of modern railroad traffic control devices at the location. Under the proposed agreement: (1) SFRTA will design and install the upgraded railroad crossing signals and related infrastructure; (2) FDOT will fully reimburse SFRTA for installation costs using federal safety funds; and (3) Miami-Dade County, as the roadway authority, must enter into the agreement to acknowledge its jurisdiction over the roadway and accept certain long-term responsibilities following project completion.
The agreement establishes that once the upgraded signals are installed: (1) SFRTA will continue operating and maintaining the railroad signal systems; (2) the County will share in ongoing maintenance costs and assume responsibility for roadway-related elements such as pavement markings and advance warning signage; and the County will bear financial responsibility for future modifications driven by roadway changes or County-initiated improvements.
The agreement is required to enable FDOT to proceed with the federally funded safety improvements and to formalize the respective roles and responsibilities of the state, regional rail operator, and local roadway authority.


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Jimmy Morales
Chief Operating Officer