ConnectDOT Weighs Burial of I-95 Between Fairfield and Bridgeport
State engineers are evaluating concepts to move traffic underground in a corridor that handles up to 130,000 vehicles daily.
By Neha Kapoor ·
State transportation officials are evaluating structural changes to a high-traffic section of Interstate 95 in southwestern Connecticut. The study focuses on the corridor connecting Fairfield and Bridgeport, a route that currently handles between 120,000 and 130,000 vehicles per day.
The Department of Transportation is considering a range of modifications to address congestion and safety issues. These proposals include redesigned on-ramps, the addition of new lanes, and the potential lowering or burial of specific highway segments.
JJ Samus of GM2, the engineering and construction firm leading the study, stated that the team aimed to leave no stone unturned during the concept development phase. The firm has previously completed other infrastructure projects within the state.
Drivers report that congestion on this stretch is often constant. Ken Henninger, a resident of Milford, described the traffic as wall-to-wall cars and noted that conditions have worsened recently. Officials link the heavy volume to an increase in accidents, particularly rear-end collisions and sideswipes near entry and exit points.
Project manager Matthew Vail confirmed that the study addresses safety concerns for all users of the corridor, not just motorists. The state is reviewing methods to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists who must cross communities divided by the interstate.
Potential improvements for non-drivers include curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, and safer connections across the highway. The most ambitious concept involves lowering or covering portions of the interstate, which could reconnect neighborhoods that have been physically separated by the road.
Samus said that such structural changes could strengthen local roadway networks while improving transportation flow. For now, these ideas remain concepts under active consideration. Henninger noted that even smaller improvements would be beneficial, adding that he currently drives with caution.
