As the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) continues to narrow its focus to bring a proposed high-speed Northeast Corridor railway through Branford and Guilford, Branford First Selectman James B. Cosgrove has issued a letter to the FRA expressing "strong trepidation" and calling on the federal body to engage the public so others can be heard.

The FRA is exploring adding quad track express rail as part of a high-speed Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston MA. Currently in the "preferred alternative" stage of proposal; the quad track is still one step away from entering the final proposal phase.

More opposition has already been registered, together with calls for public input from this area to be heard by the FRA. Leaders opposing the project include State Senator Ted Kennedy Jr. (D-District 12) State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D, District 102), State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D- District 98) and Guilford First Selectman Joe Mazza. In an April, 2017 letter to the FRA, Mazza described the plan as dangerous to the area's ecological system and one which would "...destroy the character of Branford, Guilford and towns east of Guilford." 

Local historic and land preservations groups in both towns are also opposed and efforts are underway to try to glean more information on the proposal and register objections. A local resident, Jon Wilson, has authored a petition which can be viewed and signed here 

In describing the FRA proposal, Wilson notes in the petition background, "... there is no benefit to the people of New Haven, Branford, or Guilford (or anyone else in Connecticut for that matter). In the entire thousand plus page report, only twenty-nine words were devoted to this 150 to 300 foot wide eight mile long easement. None of those words referenced an environmental study specific to the new track proposed. Furthermore, the exact location of the new track was not provided. This is just another example of a government 'Bridge to Nowhere.'"

The full text of Cosgrove's May 26, 2017 letter to FRA Acting Administrator Patrick Warren states, "I write to you to express strong trepidation regarding the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) NEC Future project as it relates to Branford, CT, as well as the neighboring town of Guilford. The proposed plan incorporates doubletracking through the two towns. However, the impact of the track expansion, along with the required easement width, has not been studied. The concern is that the design, if implemented, would negatively affect sensitive ecological areas, historic districts, and the economic vitality of Branford and Guilford. I respectfully request that the FRA engage the residents of Branford and Guilford, and address these concerns prior to the project advancing. I appreciate your time and consideration. Sincerely, James B. Cosgrove, First Selectman."

Copies of the letter were also sent to local, state and federal leaders including U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who recently requested the FRA remove the plan.  Also cc'd are U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Kennedy, Representatives Reed and Scanlon, DOT Commissioner James Redeker and Guilford First Selectman Mazza.