The TRUTH about the Maintenance and Layover Facility

Some are trying to tie the construction of the Downeaster Maintenance and Layover Facility to the Train Service that will be starting in November. They say that Brunswick will not get the train if they can't have the facility. That is a lie.

Here are the facts:

• The layover facility was never required to bring the Downeaster to Brunswick. The train will be coming to Brunswick no matter where the maintenance facility is located. Train Service to Brunswick and the Maintenance and Layover Facility are two completely separate issues.  
• In order to get the five to seven daily runs (as NNEPRA keeps mentioning), NNEPRA would need to get funding for an additional siding track at Royal Junction north of Portland.  In fact, in order to reach some of those ridership numbers we have seen (between 30,000 - 60,000 passengers) NNEPRA will need to add a new wye in Portland so that trains can turn around AND add a siding at Royal Junction AND add an enclosed maintenance and layover facility AND increase the speed on the tracks. On top of that, careful study of the proposed schedules show that NNEPRA's existing 2 train sets will not be enough to allow for 5 trips, and would likely need another train set in order to reach 5-7 runs.  These improvements will cost more than $20.5 million according to NNEPRA's TIGER application - tough to justify in this troubled economy. 
• NNEPRA has not done a proper Environmental Impact Study of the site.  The study that they cite in their TIGER III application places the maintenance facility in Portland. 
  
• NNEPRA has stated that they CANNOT and WILL NOT mitigate the outside noise and vibrations from train activity related to the facility. Yet, their TIGER application states (on page 13) that, "This Project not only delivers transportation benefits, but will preserve the quality of life we treasure so much in Maine".  The Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition rejects the thought that increasing night-time noise to unhealthy levels will "preserve the quality of life we treasure so much in Maine".
• The noise directly resulting from the facility will impact an area much larger than previously thought.  Because of track-switching needed to get the train into the building, there will be an area over 1,000 feet on either side of the tracks between Union Street to Church Road impacted by the facility.  The heart of Brunswick will be treated to the late-night sounds of wheels screeching on the tracks as the train turns into the building and the banging of trains coupling together at 4 miles per hour.
  
• The noise and vibrations associated with the facility will exceed state and local limits, and cause sleep disturbances in the area impacted by the facility. 
• If NNEPRA is allowed to use the standard they have chosen, that area will be subject to noise in excess of what is scientifically determined to be healthy for humans - and that is excluding the noise from the bells and whistles!
• The town will get no tax revenue from the facility, but could stand to lose tax revenue as property values plummet in the neighborhoods surrounding the facility.  This is a lose-lose situation!
  
• There are Six representatives from Brunswick on NNEPRA's Layover Advisory Board (2 Councilors, 3 Residents, and the Town Planner).  This group has studied the information provided by NNEPRA's engineers and have many serious questions that have yet to be answered.  Five out of those six have gone on record and asked NNEPRA to agree to follow the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Site Law Process and meet the ME DEP standards.  To date, a majority of Brunswick's Town Council refuses to support this request.
  
•  Any other industrial facility would be required to follow the ME DEP Site Law Process.  NNEPRA is claiming exemption.  
• The Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition firmly believes that a facility that cannot meet basic ME DEP Standards should not be built in ANYONE's back yard.
• NNEPRA is funded by YOU - Maine's tax-payers.  The service serves Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, but NH and MA legislators refuse to fund any part of the service.  Passenger fares do not even cover half of the cost of running the Downeaster line.  The rest comes from your tax dollars.  NNEPRA may claim exemption, but you do have a voice about how your taxes are spent.  Call your federal, state, and local representatives!  Write letters to the papers!  Call NNEPRA!