Connecticut Weighs Options to Ease Severe I-95 Congestion in Stamford
Key Takeaways
- CTDOT is exploring three approaches to reduce congestion on I-95 in Stamford, one of the most congested stretches of highway in the country.
- No final plan, cost estimates, or property impact assessments have been released; recommendations are expected by late 2026.
- The project also includes replacing an outdated bridge and studying local street improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Connecticut transportation officials are evaluating solutions to reduce congestion on a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 95 through Stamford.
The corridor is one of the most congested stretches of interstate in the country, and travel delays are expected to worsen, adding an estimated nine minutes in each direction by 2050, according to Connecticut Mirror.
In a series of public meetings, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has outlined three potential approaches to improve traffic flow.
Three Options Under Review
The first option proposes adding an additional lane in each direction between exits 6 and 9, according to News 12 Connecticut.
Connecticut Mirror reports that this plan has faced severe public backlash as many community members and transportation advocates slammed the additional lanes as an outdated and ineffective plan.
A second approach would focus on widening shoulders along the highway and lengthening on and off ramps to improve traffic flow, News 12 Connecticut reported.
The third concept involves constructing a “collector-distributor” road parallel to the highway to separate local traffic from through lanes, according to Connecticut Mirror.
Preliminary Plans and Next Steps
CTDOT emphasized that these options are preliminary, and that no specific plan has been selected, Connecticut Mirror reported. Officials have yet to determine cost estimates or property impact and final recommendations are expected by late 2026.
The study is part of a long-term effort to address congestion on this heavily traveled corridor. While improvements to mass transit are not part of the study, CTDOT is considering all modes of transportation in future planning and exploring ways to improve bicycle and pedestrian access along local streets near the highway. Additionally, the agency is planning to replace an outdated bridge carrying I-95 over local roads and the Metro-North railroad tracks, Connecticut Mirror reported.
According to News 12 Connecticut, construction on any chosen improvements is not expected to be completed until 2030 under the current timeline.
Sources: Connecticut Mirror, News 12 Connecticut