Hydrogen Infrastructure and High Speed Trains

The following was provided to the Florida Whig Party by Steve Bacon, Candidate for the 7th Congressional District of Florida. The letter was originally sent to members of the Florida Legislature and has been slightly modified for Internet publication.

11/30/2009

The Sun Rail Deal

Steve Bacon, Candidate

7th Congressional District - Florida

Implementation of the 1.2 billion dollar plan plus the ad valorem involvement for infrastructure is not in the best deal for Central Floridians. There are issues that put riders at risk.

1. The CSX line will not be committed to passenger service. It will continue to operate as a freight service under a free right of way.

2. The CSX line is completely unprotected and accessible to the public.

3. CSX accident history is unacceptable. Review the CSX accident record on shared passenger freight service. If the State of Florida owns the line it will accept liability for the results of bodily injury and property damage. Also, review the Russian bullet train accident.

4. The maintenance issue is a problem, because the State of Florida will have the liability and expense.

There is better alternate plan to be considered, the hydrogen superhighway traveler concept car. Review http://www.interstatetraveler.us/ and take the six minute reality tour.

The benefits are in seriatim are as follows:

1. This project costs around 1/3 the cost of the current plan and would save eight billion dollars for Floridians for four hundred miles of structure and rail. The cost of structure under the alternate plan would be 1 billion per 100 miles versus 3 billion under the high speed Rail plan.

2. It would take only 200 days to complete at a rate of two miles a day. That would encompass Miami, Tampa, and Daytona (four hundred miles), rather than from Deland and Tampa (140 miles), at the same cost of approximately 4 billion.

3. This project has better security because it is raised over cross bridges, high above traffic and will not separate from track.

4. 150 million dollars of Volusia county money could be saved with the inclusion of the infrastructure in the request for tarp money, particularly when residents of the county are struggling financially.

I suggest, consideration be given to approve the building of two miles of test track based on a risk free agreement, built on Interstate 4 right of way, subject to DOT approval and supervision. The project is worth discussion as an alternative to the CSX deal.

Why build on purchased lands, using old technology, when government land is available?

Earmark the money spent thus far on CSX as research and development, and go forward with a train system that will draw world attention, enhance tourism, and improve the Florida economy.

/s/ Steve Bacon

The Florida Whig Party has taken several days to review hydrogen energy, combined with solar generation in regard to propulsion possibilities. The ideas and concepts are worthy of discussion and consideration. If the state and nation are headed towards mass rail transportation, then the Interstate Traveler Company of Detroit, Michigan presents an interesting concept worthy of legitimate consideration. Lastly, the emphasis on "high speed" will remain a concern in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Russian high speed train that caused several dozen fatalities (story). Congressional candidates such as Steve Bacon, who are willing to think outside the box, are a needed voice and deserving of a seat in Congress.