About
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is performing a Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study to research ways to improve safety and mobility on I-95 between Interchanges 7 - 9 as well as develop concepts to replace the I-95 bridge over Metro-North Railroad and Myrtle Avenue.
I-95 in Stamford
I-95 in Stamford is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in the state and carries approximately 120,000 vehicles per day into, out of, and through the City. Interchanges 7 and 8 both provide access to Downtown and their ramps carry high volumes onto and off of the highway. In addition to car and truck traffic, rail (Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak), bus, bicycle, and pedestrian users all use the area every day.
The study area includes I-95 from West Avenue (Exit 6), Stamford Transportation Center area (Exit 7), Canal Street / Elm Street area (Exit 8), I-95 bridge over Metro-North Railroad and Myrtle Avenue, U.S. Rte. 106 / Seaside Avenue area (Exit 9), and various diversion routes (e.g. U.S. Rte. 1, local roads, etc.).
Study Area of Focus
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This Important Study is a PEL Study
What does this mean? The Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) process is a collaborative transportation decision-making approach that:
Considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the transportation planning process
Uses the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process
The goal of the PEL process is to reduce duplication of planning and engineering efforts and facilitate informed decisions to expedite project delivery.
Through the PEL study CTDOT will:
Identify transportation issues
Determine priorities for future improvements and funding resources
Develop a vision or master plan for the needed transportation improvements
Highlight environmental concerns
Highlight community concerns
Identify mitigation opportunities/strategies
Determine a roadmap, or plan of action, for future analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Advance early action projects, or "quick wins"
Benefits of PEL
Streamlines efforts from Planning into NEPA
Shortens timelines for NEPA review and project delivery
Stimulates the development of new tools
Helps identify stakeholders early in the process
Fosters relationships among agencies and the public
Engages non-transportation agencies in the decision-making process
Creates better real-world outcomes for the community
Improves planning products that improve the NEPA process