The following is the text of a press release we received from SECoast, a wholly independent special project of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation devoted to the issue of high speed rail along the Northeast Corridor in Connecticut:

‘Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) documents obtained by SECoast and the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation reveal that the FRA finalized maps for new Amtrak high-speed rail routes through Connecticut as early as April 6, 2016 and that this information was known by CT state agencies no later than mid-July.

Maps included in the documentation show a “Preferred Alternative” which includes a “coastal bypass” through southeastern Connecticut. The bypass is now opposed by every municipality on the proposed route. The “Preferred Alternative” also confirms new high-speed rail routes through Fairfield County, Connecticut. The document includes a sign-off from the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) dated July 21, 2016. The document finalizes procedures for how the FRA will address historic resource impacts from future construction of high speed rail routes and related projects.

These dates contradict months of denials by both the FRA and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CONNDOT) that the route is not finalized, including assurances by NEC Future Project Manager Rebecca Reyes-Alicea at a long-sought August 31 public forum in Old Lyme. That meeting was attended by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Joe Courtney, state legislators, and local leaders, as well as a standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 residents from throughout the region.

Dates and signatures on these documents show that the FRA circulated maps of their preferred high speed rail route to state and federal agencies no later than July 12, 2016. The FRA document is available at www.achp.gov/docs/nec-future-investment-program.pdf. That same week, both the FRA and CONNDOT issued official denials that internal Connecticut DOT emails, obtained by SECoast through the Freedom of Information Act, suggested a decision on the “Preferred Alternative” occurred as early as February 18, 2016 — just two days after the close of public comment.

Gregory Stroud, executive director of SECoast, a regional organization leading grassroots opposition to the planned bypass, described the denials and withholding of information by the FRA and Connecticut DOT as “cynical.” “If you look at these maps, it’s pretty obvious this is the same plan that Connecticut DOT Commissioner James Redeker described in email back on February 18th. That’s just two days after the FRA received well over a thousand public comments in opposition to the bypass. For Reyes-Alecia to come to Old Lyme and pretend that her agency values public input, suggests not just flawed planning, but bad faith.” Stroud pointed out that two Freedom of Information requests to the FRA, for detailed maps and planning documents on the bypass, remain outstanding. Those requests were filed on April 4, 2016.

“Connecticut is more impacted by routing of Amtrak’s next generation of high speed rail service than any other state between Washington and Boston,” observed Daniel Mackay, Executive Director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. “Now that FRA’s preferred route for high speed rail is finally public, the first step the agency should take to rebuild public trust is to reopen the public comment period on the Tier 1 EIS. Our state’s residents deserve the opportunity to comment on the single final route proposed through Connecticut, and a final decision on routing should be delayed until meaningful public input has been entered into the record and answered.”

Mackay noted that none of the public’s questions submitted in advance of the FRA’s forum in Old Lyme last week will become part of the Tier 1 EIS public record. As such, the FRA is not required to provide answers to those questions, or acknowledge receipt of petitions totaling over 4000 names in opposition in southeastern Connecticut, unless the public comment period is re-opened.

If FRA does not reopen the public comment period, an “official” announcement of the “Preferred Alternative” is expected in September, with a final Record of Decision to be published later in the fall.”

SECoast is a wholly independent special project of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation devoted to the issue of high speed rail along the Northeast Corridor in Connecticut. Launched in 2016, this collaborative effort partners concerned local residents in Southeastern Connecticut and the Lower Connecticut River Valley with the state-wide resources and expertise of The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation preserves, protects and promotes the buildings, sites, structures and landscapes that contribute to the heritage and vitality of Connecticut communities.

Supporting documentation and a timeline received with the press release are provided below:

Selected quotes from the press detailing denials by the FRA and the Connecticut DOT:

July 1, 2016, The Day (New London, CT), Drelich, Kimberly. “Organization says emails show FRA wants bypass through Old Lyme.”

http://www.theday.com/article/20160701/NWS01/160709901

“The FRA said in response that it has not made a decision on its preferred alternative.”

State DOT Spokesman Judd Everhart confirmed that the DOT released the emails.

But he said the DOT still is awaiting a decision from the FRA on a “preferred alternative” for an upgrade of the corridor.

He noted that they are nowhere near choosing a final design for expansion in the corridor, never mind actually starting construction.

“FRA has not yet selected a vision, or even potential routes, for the Northeast Corridor,” Matthew Lehner, director of communications for the FRA, said in an emailed statement.

Dana Honor, a Murphy spokeswoman, said Thursday (June 30th) that “There has not yet been any official ruling on which plan the FRA will choose, but Sen. Murphy will continue urging all agencies involved to listen to the people of Old Lyme and come to a decision that benefits both Connecticut travelers and those who call the area home.”

July 14, 2106, The Hartford Courant, Stacom, Don. “Blumenthal Slams Idea Of Amtrak Bypass Through Old Lyme.“

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-blumenthal-amtrak-0714-20160713-story.html

“Unfortunately, some of the ideas the FRA has proposed are frankly half-baked, harebrained notions that will never come to fruition — including rerouting Amtrak straight through the community of Old Lyme … and other shoreline communities where there is strong, understandable and well-merited opposition,” Blumenthal told (Amtrak Vice President Stephen Gardner) Gardner at a Senate subcommittee hearing this week. “

“Gardner replied … the FRA has said that any alarm about its long-term alternatives is needless, since it’s only in the early stages of study. The agency has said it isn’t close to designing detailed plans for any of the alternatives.”

August 17, 2016, POLITICO, Morning Transportation. “Old Lyme doesn’t want a new rail bridge.”

http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-transportation/2016/08/check-another-one-off-obamas-truck-it-list-215927

[Quoting an FRA Aide in response]”What’s more, he said, the agency has already committed to local leaders that if the bypass makes it into the final blueprint…”

August 23, 2016, The Westerly Sun, (Westerly, RI) White, Brooke Constance. “Group seeks more info on bypass.”

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/richmondhopkinton/9254768-154/group-seeks-more-info-on-rail-bypass.html

“When asked to respond to questions about the proposed alternatives, a Federal Railroad Administration spokesperson said: “FRA has not yet selected a vision, or even potential routes, for the Northeast Corridor. We have met with many leaders and residents throughout the corridor, including in Connecticut, and have talked with them about their concerns. We are taking these opinions into account as we continue our work.”

August 31, 2016, CT Mirror, Constable, Kyle “Federal rail official: ‘No elevated track’ in Old Lyme; spokesman creates doubt, but later clarifies”

Federal rail official: ‘No elevated track’ in Old Lyme; spokesman creates doubt, but later clarifies

[Marc Willis, an FRA spokesman in retraction:]

“If the new segment is included in the final vision for the Northeast Corridor, FRA has committed to not have an aerial structure through the historic district of Old Lyme,” Willis said. “A tunnel is on the table.”

“The next step in the process – if we get there – is the Tier II review, which includes additional opportunities for input from leaders and citizens,” Willis added.’

The auditorium was packed for Wednesday afternoon’s public session with the FRA. Daniel Mackay photo

A crowd of more than 500 area residents turned out Wednesday to join elected officials in opposing a possible Amtrak railroad bypass project that would run from Old Saybrook through southeastern Connecticut to Kenyon, R.I.

The auditorium at Lyme-Old Lyme High School was packed to capacity for a public session with representatives of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Also on hand were elected officials, including U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman Joe Courtney, state legislators, and chief elected officials for seven area cities and towns.

The concern is focused on an option that has emerged as part of a long-range plan to improve and expand passenger rail service along the Northeast Corridor from Washington D.C. to Boston, Mass. The option, called the Old Saybrook-Kenyon, R.I. Bypass, would require construction of a second rail line that would cross the Connecticut River and run north of the existing rail line and Interstate-95 through historic and environmentally sensitive areas of Old Lyme and other towns.

Representatives from the FRA along with elected state and local officials were on hand for the public session. Daniel Mackay photo

In the session that was held in response to pressure from elected representatives and the public after months of local controversy over the bypass option, two representatives of the FRA, Rebecca Reyes-Alicea and Anishi Castelli, explained the preliminary plans and review process before responding to questions and comments from the elected officials. The “roundtable” did not include questions or comments from the large audience.

Reyes-Alecea said the Northeast Corridor improvements would be completed over the coming decades, and would require congressional approval of funding and probably state funding contributions.

Though the FRA is expected to make some decisions on future project options by the end of the year, Reyes-Alecea said the review process is still in an “early stage.” She added the turnout for Wednesday’s session was the largest officials have seen for any of the public meetings held at locations throughout the 457-mile Washington-Boston corridor.

But the comments from federal, state, and local officials made it clear any decision to pursue the bypass plan, estimated to cost at least $68 billion, would face determined bipartisan resistance every step of the way.

Blumenthal said the bypass plan is “unfeasible, unworkable, and unnecessary,” adding, “I will fight as long and as hard as possible to block any route with an adverse impact on historic, cultural, and environmental values.” Courtney said the bypass plan seemed like something “from an alternate universe” and suggested there is a “long to-do list,” including bridge and grade crossing replacements, that must be completed before any consideration of a second rail line through the region.

State and local officials were equally firm in their opposition to the bypass plan. New London Mayor Michael Passero said previous railroad and urban renewal projects have hurt his city by claiming taxable property and isolating neighborhoods. Passero said there is no way to construct a second rail line through or around New London “without destroying our little city.”

State Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Saybrook, described the plan as “a dark cloud hovering over these towns.” Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons, a former second district congressman, and Waterford First Selectman David Stewart urged the federal agency to focus first on improvements to the existing rail line. “Why can’t we fix what we have,” Simmons said. Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said all seven municipalities along the possible bypass route would “stand with Old Lyme” in resisting the plan.

Reyes-Alecea said any recommendation filed later this year would set the stage for a Tier 2” analysis process and report that would include more specific plans and cost estimates for improvement projects. She said it could take years before any construction begins, even on the specific improvement to the existing line that are encouraged by the local elected leaders.

Asked after the meeting for his reaction, Gregory Stroud, Executive Director of SECoast – the non-profit constructively opposing the proposed bpass – said, “There is no doubt, that every member of the press, Senator Blumenthal and Representative Courtney came away impressed. A huge crowd. A great coming together of all the towns in southeastern Connecticut. A bipartisan, unified delegation, with one curious exception. Where is Governor Malloy?”