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State's Point Man On CSX Deal To Resign

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By BILLY TOWNSEND | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2007

Updated: 09/13/2007 07:03 pm

TAMPA - The state's top negotiator in the pending rail-realignment deal with CSX Transportation has announced his intention to resign, the state Department of Transportation confirmed today.

Lowell Clary is FDOT's assistant secretary for finance and administration. He has been the point man on negotiations with CSX and Florida East Coast Industries concerning possible purchases of rail corridors in the Orlando and South Florida areas.

Clary said in an e-mail sent Wednesday to the DOT executive board, "After much careful thought, it is time for me to move on to new career opportunities."

It was not immediately clear what those opportunities are, or when exactly Clary will step down.

Clary's e-mail said he's been in public service in Florida for nearly 25 years.

He was not immediately available for comment.

The deal Clary has been negotiating would pay CSX Transportation $491 million to relocate its freight rail traffic and allow for commuter rail service for the Orlando area. Officials in Lakeland and other cities are afraid that the deal, and the unlimited potential freight traffic increases it will bring, will damage the cores of their cities.

Reporter Billy Townsend can be reached at (863) 284-1409.

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