FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The I-95 Eastern CT PEL study is an initiative by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to reduce congestion and improve travel time along I-95 from Exit 53 in Branford to the Rhode Island state line. The I-95 corridor from Branford to Rhode Island has been studied for over two decades. In 2021, the CTDOT decided to transition the previous studies to a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.

  • The I-95 Eastern corridor currently experiences heavy seasonal, non-seasonal, and peak hour congestion, delay, and unreliable travel times. I-95 was originally constructed in the 1950s. This aging highway carries approximately 2.65 times more traffic today than in the 1950s.

  • Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) initiative to link the transportation planning process with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Transportation agencies can use the FHWA PEL process to conduct a “PEL study,” which is a transportation planning study conducted at the corridor or subarea level; that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning stage and carries them through project development, design, and construction.

    The goals of a PEL study are to: 1) consider environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process, and 2) use the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform and streamline the transportation project development and environmental review process. The PEL process uses an integrated approach and is intended to provide the framework for the long-term implementation of transportation improvements as funding becomes available.

  • CTDOT hosted a virtual public information meeting in the fall of 2022. The public was invited to participate in the virtual public information meeting and an online survey. In addition, the public was invited to attend two live question and answer sessions, hosted by CTDOT. View materials from the virtual public information meeting here. The community can also track progress by following the study Facebook page.

  • The study is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

  • Information gained through the previous studies will be considered provided the recommendations are still in line with the current purpose and need. For example, the draft I-95 Eastern CT PEL study goals presented during the first virtual public information meeting were developed based on public and stakeholder input and data analysis of previous studies.

  • The purpose of the first virtual public information meeting was to hear from the public about the types of solutions they would like to see in the corridor. The “universe of alternatives,” or options that will be explored throughout this PEL study, will include transportation system management solutions that include strategies such as mass transit, bus-only travel lanes, and high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lanes. A range of concepts will be developed after FHWA approves the purpose and need and be presented this fall at the second public meeting.

  • CTDOT is seeking input on issues to address and ideas for the corridor. As the study develops, we will be looking at all opportunities for improving mobility through the corridor. Active transportation modes can help with removing short trips from the highway and will be considered.

  • No, tolling is not authorized in the State of Connecticut.

  • The study team has been looking at all the acceleration and deceleration lanes for interchanges within the corridor. This includes documenting interchanges that are very closely spaced and short ramps. The deficiencies that are noted, as well as feedback that we receive, will help guide our next steps.

  • Enforcement of our interstate highways is led by our partners, the state police. However, CTDOT works with our state and local police partners to administer grants through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We are looking at ways to increase safety for everyone on our roadways, including ideas such as installing more flashing lights and alerts for wrong-way drivers.

  • CTDOT is currently looking into the expansion of a Variable Message System (VMS) and an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) that provide these types of warnings to drivers. The PEL study will look at incorporating these types of solutions into the alternatives development process.

  • CTDOT has begun collecting data on environmental resources, safety, traffic, and roadway and bridge deficiencies within the study area. Because no improvement options have been identified yet, we are doing a high-level scan at this stage of the PEL process.

  • The PEL study will look at potential improvements within the right-of-way as well as potential improvements that may require right-of-way expansion. When we begin evaluating improvement concepts, we will conduct a high-level scan of potential impacts related to right-of-way expansion. However, there is always a preference to be able to achieve what we can within our own right-of-way. Detailed property impacts will be evaluated during the next phase as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

  • A noise analysis will be completed during the NEPA process once a set of reasonable alternatives are determined through the PEL process.

  • At this point, we are too early in the process. However, CTDOT will be looking to match the recommended concepts with available funding sources once they are developed and evaluated.