The I-95 Greenwich PEL Study will analyze mobility needs along the I-95 corridor from the New York State line to Exit 7. It will evaluate demographics, environmental resources, safety, traffic, and roadway and bridge conditions in the study area. The study will analyze how the corridor functions and how it fits into the surrounding communities. It will consider:

• Mobility and safety on I-95 and U.S. Route 1
• Multi-modal (transit, bicycle, and pedestrian) improvement needs throughout the study area
• Environmental issues, such as noise and other potential impacts to natural, historic, and community resources

A PEL study is a federally recognized process for transportation agencies to make and document planning decisions while considering public and agency input. PEL studies allow agencies, such as the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), to better understand community needs and to develop alternative solutions that meet those needs. A PEL study is a collaborative approach to decision-making used to identify transportation issues and environmental concerns. This integrated approach considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process and uses this information to transition from the long-range planning process to transportation project development and environmental review. The information from a PEL study would be carried forward into the next project development phase, called the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, where a more detailed environmental analysis, and further public outreach, would occur.

No, the PEL study process is expected to identify and screen a broad range of improvement concepts, or possible solutions, that can be carried forward into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase in more than one project, as a phased series of improvements.

The final product will be a comprehensive report that summarizes all the findings of the PEL study. The final report will describe the preliminary purpose and need for transportation investments in the corridor, outline a vision for the study area, and recommend solutions aimed to improve safety and mobility within the corridor for further evaluation during the federal environmental review phase (NEPA). The report will consider community needs, local conservation and development plans, and public and agency input.

At this time, we want to hear from you to better understand the transportation needs in this corridor and types of solutions you would like to see to address those needs. No concepts have been identified yet. A range of potential improvement concepts will be developed and presented for feedback at future public meetings.

The I-95 Greenwich PEL Study includes two phases:

• Phase 1 will include an analysis of the current conditions within this corridor, initial community and stakeholder engagement, an analysis of transportation needs, and the development of a preliminary purpose and need for future investments in the corridor. Phase 1 is expected to take 12 to 18 months.
• Phase 2 will include the development and analysis of potential improvements to address transportation needs, identification of improvement concepts that could move forward into the federal environmental review process, continued community and stakeholder engagement, and preparation of the PEL study final report. Phase 2 is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2025.

The I-95 Greenwich PEL Study will include meaningful collaboration between residents, businesses, advocacy and stakeholder organizations, municipal governments, transportation agencies, and elected officials in and around the study area.

Sign up for email updates or submit a comment by visiting i95greenwich.com. Visit the website regularly for information on upcoming study advisory meetings, public meetings, and study information booths at local events. Have questions? Contact us at info@I95Greenwich.com or 203-806-0804.

CTDOT will use the PEL study action plan to identify “early action” projects, independent projects that could be implemented quickly–perhaps even before the study is finalized–with limited costs and impacts. Additionally, CTDOT will determine logical project phases for larger investments that could be moved forward into the federal environmental review process (NEPA) based on current and future funding availability, potentially accelerating project delivery and minimizing overall costs. Projects forwarded into NEPA may include short-term (3-5 years), medium-term (5-10 years), and long-term (10-15 years) projects.