nothin New Haven Independent | Shoreline Railroad Expansion Message: Stay…

Shoreline Railroad Expansion Message: Stay Involved

Diana Stricker Photo

Greg Stroud (pictured), who led shoreline opposition against railroad expansion plans for 18 months, told Branford residents it’s time to celebrate a victory, but more importantly, it’s time to stay involved as a new capacity study begins.

Stroud, who is director of special projects for the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, recently told a small gathering at the Branford Fire Headquarters that the threat of railroad expansion in sensitive areas of Coastal Connecticut will not truly disappear until we find better solutions.”

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released its comprehensive railroad plans for the Northeast Corridor rail line from Washington D.C. to Boston on July 12. Click here to read the story. The plans eliminated a controversial proposal to construct a quad track bypass” in historic and environmentally sensitive areas between Branford and Guilford.

Stroud congratulated local activists and supporters. This is the best possible decision for this community” he said, adding that success resulted from public engagement and support from local and state officials. He thanked First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, who attended the meeting, for his support.

Numerous state and local officials joined opposition to the quad track expansion —- State Representatives Lonnie Reed (D‑Branford) and Sean Scanlon (D‑Guilford and Branford); State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr.; Cosgrove; First Selectman Joe Mazza of Guilford; U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy .

The FRA also eliminated plans to construct new tracks along the sensitive coastal areas from Old Saybrook though Rhode Island — a cause that Stroud and communities spearheaded for many months.

New Capacity Planning Study

Diana Stricker Photo

Stroud said the FRA is calling for a New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study, which would be conducted with input from the Connecticut DOT. The study area is outlined in the sketch at top.

According to the FRA, the study would identify on- and off-corridor infrastructure to address the capacity constraints, speed restrictions and flooding vulnerability along the Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline.” It also stated the study should consider inland as well as shoreline routes.

Diana Stricker Photo

Jon Wilson (pictured with microphone), a Stony Creek resident, was one of the local people who rallied against the quad track expansion. Wilson, pictured with microphone above, asked questions about the capacity study.

Stroud said although the study may not begin for awhile, it will be an opportunity to collaborate and figure out common solutions that work for the whole state. He said rail expansion from New Haven to Hartford to Providence could be an option.

He said it’s time for local groups to begin talking with New Haven and Hartford and other cities because improvements on the line from New Haven to Hartford and Springfield are partially dependent on this planning study.”

Stroud said it’s important for towns and cities across the state to be involved in the planning process with the DOT. He said people need to request a place at the table and ask for regular updates and transparency.”

The FRA made initial proposals for shoreline rail expansion without meeting with town and state officials or members of the public, despite many requests from state legislators and members of the public to do so.

Stroud said if not for the opposition from Branford and Guilford residents and local and state officials, the quad track bypass would not have been removed from the plans. The community activism changed it,” he said.

Stroud will remain involved and will turn his attention to Fairfield County where new Northeast Corridor Plans are evolving from New Rochelle to Fairfield County, specifically Greenwich, Darien, Stanford and Westport.

The Connecticut Trust has made a significant investment of time, energy and money into this topic because we believe it has statewide significance and we believe this is something that local communities and local citizens should engage, sooner rather than later,” he said.
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