com2019L28.docx November 14, 2018 Thomas J. Lanihan Executive Director Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council 421 SW Camden Avenue Stuart, FL 34994 Dear Tom: Enclosed are letters sent to members of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in reference to the dual rail line proposal. Sincerely, Ed Fielding Commissioner, District 2 EF/rz Enclosures C: Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2401 S.E. MONTEREY ROAD  STUART, FL 34996 Telephone: 772.288.5421 Fax: 772.288.5432 Email: efieldin@martin.fl.us DOUG SMITH Commissioner, District 1 ED FIELDING Commissioner, District 2 HAROLD E. JENKINS II Commissioner, District 3 SARAH HEARD Commissioner, District 4 EDWARD V. CIAMPI Commissioner, District 5 TARYN KRYZDA, CPM County Administrator SARAH W. WOODS County Attorney TELEPHONE 772-288-5400 WEB ADDRESS http://www.martin.fl.us 1 of 34 DOUG SMITH Commissklner, Dktrk:t f ED l'lf UllHO c.o.nmassaoner, Otstnct 2 HAROU> E. J ElllOllS II Comm1ssloner. Dlsl.lftt 3 SARAH HEARD Commi11loner, Ob11'1ct 4 EDWARD Y. CIAMPI CommiUioner. Dietrict 5 TARYN l.Nwww mo111ne .... MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2401 S.E. MONTEREY ROAD• ST\JART, FL!- Telephone: 772.288.5421 Fax: 772.28A.5432 November 14, 2018 Honorable Congressman Bill Shuster Chair, Transportation & lnfrastl\Jcture Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chair Shuster: Email: cfieldi.n@martin.fl.us As leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Nol only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive worldwide. China is now economically and militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia , northern Middle-East, Europe. SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of world reserve currency, with an the preferential benefi!s such position affords. How do we respond? Wilh the greatest concentralion of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in worldwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be at the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Bell & Road Initiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels . One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Orlando rail line. There are over 100 million visitors to this corridor each year; in addition to the 9 million residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight lo an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west. We all worlc. play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 2 of 34 Honorable Congressman Bill Shuster November 14, 2018 Page2. AuthorizJng the Florida dual rail line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 110million people. Many thanks. Sincerely, -·w.7 .--.......... ~ I I - -- ~)~ Ed Fielding ~ ,,,/ Commissioner, OJstrtcr2 C: Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Langham. TCRPC com2019tJ6.dOCA. 3 of 34 . :·.-. ;• f J 1• } o: l~ a~ ; 0 • • 4 of 34 DOUG6MITH Gommi'81onar, 01"11Cl 1 ED FIELDING Cotnmis&ioner. Dittrlet 2 HAROLD~. JENKINS II Commrs$10tlet, Oiatrict 3 SARAH HEARD Commissioner, Olt'1!cl 4 EDWAAD V. CIAlll"' l:<>nTiutl.....,., Ols>"fol 6 TARYN KRY2DA. CPM County AdminlGt"cor SARAH W. WOODS Counly Attom&Y TELEPHONE nNa&-5.000 WEIAOORE$5 MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2401 S.E. MONTEREY ROAi> • STUART. Fl. 34996 November 14, 2018 Honorable Congressman Peter DeFazio Telephone: 772.288.5421 Fax: 772.288.5182 Email: efieldin@martin.ll u$ Ranking Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 2051 5 Dear Ranking Member DeFezio: As leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with infrastructure development may play the key role tor 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive wortdwide. China is now economically end militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle-East, Europe, SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of wortd reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? With the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in wortdwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be et the mercy of others l o help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road Initiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a duel freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Ortando rail line. There are over 100 million visitors to this corridor each year; in addition to the 9 million residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight l o an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there wm be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west. We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 5 of 34 Honorable Congressman Peter DeFazio November 14, 2018 Page2. Authorizing the Florida dual rail line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 110million people. Many thanks. Sincerely, _£"/ ··--f _) -) - Ed Fielding~ Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan. TCRPC com2019U7.dncx 6 of 34 -L ... ! • • r. • .i f J. l ••• 'j h I I ·1 • ·· t l ~f • • ~ ~ .l! ~ • 7 of 34 OOUGS .. ITH Commk- . llb!lict 1 ED FIELDING Commleaionef. D!trt~ 2 HAllOLD E. JENl ; 13 of 34 DOUG SNJllt C«MH ....... Dl$!rict , eo FIELDING CommtMloner, 01stnct 2 HAROLD e. JENKINS II Commlasioner, Dbll'1cl 3 5AAAH HEAllO Con\fn1l$ion&r. Didrict 4 EDWARD V, CIAMPI Commissioner, Oisttiet 5 SARAH W. WOOD$ CK»IE 772~8-54<)0 WEB ADDRESS MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2401 S.E. MONTEREY ROAi> •STUART, FL 34998 November 14, 2018 Honorable Congressman Brian Mast Telephone: 772.288.542 1 Fax: 772.288.5432 Email: efieldin@martin.fi..WI Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. ~ ____:_ Dear Congressma~jiil'o. J As leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive worldwide. China is now economically and militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle-East, Europe, SE Asia. and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of world reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? With the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in wortdwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be at the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road Initiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Orlando rail line. There are over 100 million visitors to this corridor each year; in addition to the 9 mil6on residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight to an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the futu re. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west. We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 14 of 34 Honorable Congressman Brian Mas1 November 14, 2018 Page 2. Authorizing the Florida dual rail line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 11 Omillion people. Many thanks. Sincerely, Ed Fielding Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC oolll20 l 9!..:20.do.;x 15 of 34 ... I (. i"' i ~· :q : • .,,,. 1 i .• ~ f ' '{ l~ : :. . ;D " ; . ;- • IS. r. f _, I • • .. 16 of 34 OOUG SlllTlt Commisi>ioner. OiWlct 1 ED FIEl.OlNG eomn...-. °"""" 2 HAROLD E. JENKINS II Commissioner, Dislrict 3 BARAH HEARD Commissioner, Ol$trfc:I 4 !.DWARD V. C ..... PI Comm&ioneir, Oi$*1: 6 T ARYll KRVZllA, CPU County AdministJ•tor SARA>! W. WOODS County Attorney TELEPHONE 1n -2aa.a.oo WEB ADDRESS MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 2401 S.E . MONTEREY ROAD• 51\JART, FL 3499e November 14, 2018 Honorable Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Telephone: 772.288.5421 Fruc: 772.288.5432 Email: efi.eldin@martin.tl.us Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 2051 5 Dear Congresswoman Bustos: As leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive wortdwide. China is now economically and militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle-East, Europe, SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of wortd reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? With the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in worldwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be at the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road Initiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for Sol.1th Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Ortando rail line. There are over 100 million visitors to this corridor each year; In addition to the 9 million residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight to an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 17 of 34 Honorable Congresswoman Cheri Bustos November 14, 2018 Page 2. Authorizing the Florida dual ra il line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 110miJlion people. Many thanks. Sincerely, ~~3-· Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryzda, County Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC com21Jl9U l .docx 18 of 34 • -·· (> f• 'f.~n :=- tt i i l G ' Ii §f I • ,i;J f " ~ r f J a.. .H I ·,.,,µ '· ~ , ~ .. i ff ·· -- · •I~ i ! {" lli ·1 ~ ! ' ~· • i i , l ! f )& ~j j ~? ~ . .. ~ ,., ~ ;;. !~ . ,: 0Jl0 ~~f;~ ! • 19 of 34 t:O FIELOIN'G CommtMloner, OfStrici 2 HA.ROLD E. JENKINS II Ccmml1!icner, Dl.strtct 3 SARAH HEARD Comm1,$lDMr. Oiaklc:t 4 EDWARD V. CIAMPI Commls.slonet, Disti'ci. 5 TARYN KRYZDA. CPM County Administrator SAAA>r w. WOODS County Anomey TELEPHONE n2-2se-6-IOO WEBAPC~ts MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMM:SSIONERS 2401 S.E. MONT1'.REY ROAD • STIJART. FL 349116 November 14. 2018 Honorable Congresswoman Lois Frankel Telep hone: 772 .288. 5421 Fa.": 772.288.5432 Email: ofieldin@martm.ll.us Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 / -v · Dear Congresswoman ~3 r As leaden;hip has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive worldwide. China is now economically and militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an Interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle-East, Europe. SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of world reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? W ith the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in worldwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be at the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road fnttiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, parts and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less cart>on producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Orlando rail line. There are over 100 miUion visitors lo this corridor each year; in addition to the 9 miltion residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight to an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by Ille Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west. We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 20 of 34 Honorable Congresswoman Lois Frankel November 14, 2018 Page2. Authorizing the Florida dual rail line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 110miflion people. Many thanks. Sincerely, ~~- Ed Fielding ~-.., Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Klyzda, County Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC com20 l9Ul. . ; 'l ' ~ ·1 • i l 9 I " :I 25 of 34 DOUG SMITH Conwnlsstoner. Dbtric.t 1 ED Fll!LOING Co1.21 1''a."{'. 772.288.5432 Email: efieldin@martin.fl.us Member, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee United States House of Representatives 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Denham: As leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts wHh infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable. but we are less competitive worldwide. China is now economically and militarily challenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of ttieir strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle-East, Europe, SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of world reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? With the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in worldwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation. We would be al the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road Initiative (Siik Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient internally. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling from Miami intersecting with the Tampa/Orlando rail line. There are over 100 m illion visitors to this corridor each year, in addition to the 9 million residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight to an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line to be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic lo the east and the Everglades on the west. We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corrldor in between. 26 of 34 Honorable Congressman Jeff Denham Novem~r 14, 2018 Page2. Authorizing the Florida dual rail line proposal wiU increase transportation efficiencies for over 110million people. Many thanks. Sincerely, s:;t~ Ed Fielding Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryzda, County Admin istrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC com2019C24.00fa 27 of 34 r i .... , r~ .. ... , . ~ , 7 , Af : ~ • !. • • • • ... l : •• 28 of 34 DOUG S"!TH Commission•r. Distt:::.1 1 EOFIUDIMG Commissioner, 05tic::t 2 HAROLD E. JENKINS ti Commlisloner, Oit.1ricl: 3 SAftAH HEARD Com'nisalooer, Dts!rlCt 4 EDWARD V. CIAMPI Commissioner, DbO'ltt 5 TARYN KRYZDA. CPM c..niy_..,, SARAH W. WOOOS County Attorney TELEPllONE 772-2811-S leadership has observed, the House's bipartisan efforts with Infrastructure development may play the key role for 2019 Congress by dealing with America's deteriorating transportation system. Not only are our roads and bridges becoming less reliable, but we are less competitive worldwide. China is now economically and militarily chaUenging us for the financial loyalty of the nations of the world. Their Silk Road project is a major element of their strategy, an interconnection uniting China, Russia, northern Middle -East, Europe, SE Asia, and parts of Africa. The winner of this challenge will be awarded the title of world reserve currency, with all the preferential benefits such position affords. How do we respond? With the greatest concentration of effort we can muster. Our loss would transform the DOLLAR from being in worldwide demand to our becoming a typical debtor nation . We would be at the mercy of others to help carry our enormous debt burden. So to confront China's $900 billion Belt & Road Initiative (Silk Road) transportation/trade project challenge we must become more efficient intemaUy. Our transportation system: highways, ports and airports, must process more people and units of commerce more quickly and less expensively. Our electric grid must become more sustainable while using less carbon producing fuels. One such efficient transportation project is proposed for South Florida, moving up to 85% of the freight traffic off our clogged coastal arteries onto a dual freight rail line traveling f rom Miami Intersecting with the Tampa/Orlando rail line. There are over 100 million visitors to th is corridor each year; in addition to the 9 mill ion residents. Our ports are reaching capacity with no available expansion. This rail line would allow efficient movement of container freight to an expansive inland port, for repacking and redeployment. The ports and shippers need this additional capacity from the dual rail line ID be able to load and unload the growth of cargo in the future. If we continue on the path of more people and more congestion there will be no solution as we are bound by the Atlantic to the east and the Everglades on the west. We all work, play and live on the narrow coastal corridor in between. 29 of 34 Honorable Congressman Sam Gr11ves November 14, 2018 Page 2. Authorizing the Florida dual rail line proposal will increase transportation efficiencies for over 11 Omillion people. Many thanks. Sincerely, 261 ~·· ~ Fielding c::::::;C::, '- Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryzda, Couniy Administrator Fowler West, West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC 30 of 34 i' • f ~-::' • ) l~ Ed Fielding Commissioner, District 2 C: Taryn Kryz.da, County Administrator Fowler West. West & West Tom Lanihan, TCRPC 33 of 34 ' ~ ~ : j -~ . 4 ~ ;.~ .. • ~f ii~ . :":. ! <;. ' ; '· !~ . ! . . ~ • 1 It. ~- : H 7!\ 'J • ~f • p ·' ' 8 ' " ~ . ; r ~ ~ .. ~ir~ i , ~ · 'ii' H • l ~ ·.~· !! ( 0 .t ,. e ! t • ~ ' ' ~ ·u· ! • • ,. !f -r·· .. ' . .. I 34 of 34 com2019L28 ltr_copies.pdf Binder1.pdf com2019L16_Shuster_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L17_DeFazio_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L18_Duncan_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L19_Webster_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L20_Mast_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L21_Bustos_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L22_Frankel_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L23_Norton_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L24_Denham_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L25_Graves_Dual_Rail_Ltr com2019L26_Capuano_Dual_Rail_Ltr