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The study area includes the following limits:
Corridor of I-95 between approximately Center Street (Exit 19) and Hollister Avenue (Exit 30).
Route 8/Route 25 (Exit 27A) interchange and a portion of Route 8/Route 25 to approximately Exit 2.
Nearby parallel routes of Post Road and Kings Highway (Route 1) in Fairfield and State Street (Route 130) and Fairfield Avenue (State Road 700) in Bridgeport.
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A PEL study is an approach to transportation planning that is typically used to identify transportation issues, priorities, and environmental concerns. The process is intended to integrate community planning into the transportation planning decision process. Improvement alternatives will be developed and analyzed, and the final study report will provide a list of recommended improvements.
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The benefit of a PEL study is that the team can determine how each individual improvement could interact with others to achieve the most favorable outcome for the corridor. In addition to better assessing how individual projects can affect one another, the broader study allows for:
Less duplication of efforts (i.e., different parties will not be studying variations of the same concepts and advancing each concept separately),
Improved project phasing because projects are planned and potentially designed together, and
Ability to advance independent projects.
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Recent preliminary evaluations along I-95 have prompted CTDOT to launch several PEL studies along I-95; these are important steps toward real corridor transportation-system improvement projects. Other recently completed or ongoing PEL studies in Connecticut include:
I-95 Greenwich I-95 Stamford I-95 Eastern CT
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The I-95 Mobility Study Fairfield/Bridgeport will collect data, examine existing and potential future conditions, and evaluate alternative ways to improve mobility and travel conditions along the corridor. The study will develop Purpose and Need for projects; determine project sizes and locations; and develop and refine a range of alternatives, which can then be prioritized for implementation.
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The study will include the development of a Purpose and Need, which will articulate the key needs in the corridor. The team, with the help of stakeholders and the public, will assess alternatives and compare these alternatives against the purpose and need. The product will be a comprehensive report with a vision for the study area and recommended solutions. These solutions will include short-term upgrades (1-5 years) as well as medium-term (5-15 years), and long-term (15+ years) improvements. The report will consider local communities, local conservation plans, development plans, and public and agency input.
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The PEL study process includes two phases.
Phase 1 includes the PEL strategy and scheduling work, initial data collection, preliminary corridor and traffic assessments, initial public and stakeholder outreach to present project goals, analysis of needs and deficiencies, and development of a preliminary Purpose and Need. Phase 1 was completed in early 2025.
The Mobility Analysis was a focused evaluation of travel needs and deficiencies on local roads. It was completed in 2025.
Phase 2 includes development and analysis of improvement alternatives, identification of project alternatives to move forward into NEPA review and project development, and a final PEL report documenting the study results. Phase 2 is expected to be completed by late 2027.
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Many of the potential improvement projects stemming from this study would rely on federal funding or federal permitting, which would make those potential projects subject to federal environmental review under NEPA. NEPA is a federal law protecting the environment for all federally permitted or funded projects. Before approval of federal actions, NEPA requires analysis of potential impacts to the environment (both the human and natural environment) and when there are potential impacts, the consideration of alternatives to avoid impacts and mitigative measures to compensate for impacts.
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PAC members include representatives of neighborhood groups, local and regional authorities, major employers, and advocacy groups.
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The I-95 Mobility Study Fairfield/Bridgeport will include significant collaboration between municipal governments, residents, businesses, advocacy and stakeholder organizations, and elected representatives in and around the study area.
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