EFSC Site for Port Rail Plan Public Hearing

The public will have a chance to provide its input on Port Canaveral’s proposal to have direct rail service to and from the north cargo area connecting to the Florida East Coast Railway during a Nov. 18 public hearing on Eastern Florida State College’s Titusville Campus.

The Canaveral Port Authority plans to request approval from the Surface Transportation Board to build and operate an 11-mile extension of new rail from the Port to the 17 miles of existing NASA rail line at Kennedy Space Center, which links to Florida East Coast Railway.

This direct access to freight rail service would help cargo expansion operations at the Port, officials say.

Under the proposal, the new rail line would begin near the Port’s north cargo area, extend west across the Banana River, enter KSC on Merritt Island south of Kars Park, and then turn north through KSC grounds where it would connect with KSC’s existing rail line.

Two public hearings are scheduled to gain comments on the proposal:

• Nov. 18, 5-8 p.m., John Henry Jones Gym, Titusville Campus of Eastern Florida State College

• Nov. 19, 5-8 p.m., Convention Center, Radisson Resort at the Port. 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral

The Surface Transportation Board’s Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement can be found on the Board’s website.

For additional information, contact Dave Navecky, Office of Environmental Analysis, Surface Transportation Board, at 202-245-0294.