Palm Beach MPO backs port access options

Palm Beach MPO backs port access options    Palm Beach County's Metropolitan Planning Organization Thursday voted to endorse a state study to consider more alternatives for a key railroad crossing near a planned new entrance to the south end of the Port of Palm Beach.
   The MPO, which has general oversight over location transportation infrastructure planning, asked the Florida Department of Transportation to conduct a study of both an overpass and an underpass at the point where State Road 710 intersect Florida East Coast Railroad tracks. There is no crossing at that point, but the FDOT's has identified the 710 corridor as a key 'strategic corridor' within the state's Strategic Intermodal System.
   The port is expected to complete its South Gate entrance project in 2008, giving the port two entrances. The South Gate would be used primarily for trucks bulk and breakbulk cargoes handled at terminals on the south end of the port.
   That would ease traffic flows at the main entrance to the port, which will be used primarily for containerized cargo from the port's main tenant, Tropical Shipping, when the new gate is completed.
      The state study would begin in July 2008, and the crossing ultimately selected would not be built for another three of four years. But deputy port director Kathy Andress told the Florida Caribbean Connection that Thursday's MPO vote was important in moving the process forward.
   The MPO had previously recommended an 'at-grade' crossing, which had been opposed by the FEC for safety reasons. The MPO was concerned about a proposed overpass at the crossing site, because of opposition from people living in nearby residential neighborhoods.
   The MPO last fall suggested the FDOT could also consider a tunnel or alternative 'depressed highway' crossing under the tracks. The FDOT had until March to present a proposal on the options, leading to a presentation on Thursday and the MPO vote for a more detailed design and engineering work for the crossing proposals.
   'The whole project can now move forward,' Andress said, adding that the port would support whichever crossing option is ultimately endorsed.
   Meanwhile, once the South Gate is completed, truckers would have to use existing roads to access the new gate. That is more circuitous than the eventual 710 corridor, Andress said, but it will still improve port access and traffic flows during the intervening years.