Patch Readers Sound Off On Long Island Sound Bridge Proposal

Connecticut lawmakers are weighing a bill that would direct the state's Department of Economic and Community Development to study the feasibility of building a bridge across Long Island Sound — and Patch readers have weighed in with force.

Easton developer Stephen Shapiro, who has championed the project, argues that I-95 between Stamford and Bridgeport was built in the 1950s to handle roughly 70,000 cars a day and now carries closer to 150,000 to 180,000.

"Anyone who lives here knows how bad the congestion is," he said.

He estimates a trip that currently takes 75 minutes by ferry could take about 15 minutes by car over a new bridge.

Readers largely share that frustration. Nearly 58 percent of respondents scored their support at 4 or 5 out of 5, compared to about 33 percent who scored it 1 or 2.

The average support score came in at 3.42 out of 5. The top cited benefit — named by 71 percent of respondents — was reduced travel time, with I-95 congestion relief close behind.

"I-95 is out of control," a Shelton reader said. "A bridge or a tunnel from Connecticut to Long Island is necessary."

But support came with caveats.

The single biggest concern, raised by nearly 70 percent of respondents, was high construction costs and the potential burden on state finances.

"Stop spending money we don't have," a Meriden respondent said.

Environmental impact on the Sound's ecosystem was cited by roughly 55 percent, and half of all respondents worried about increased traffic congestion near bridge access points in coastal towns.

"People are happy that Long Island Sound is coming back from environmental pollution. Please don't ruin it," one respondent said.

Thirty-nine percent said they currently use the existing ferry service at least occasionally, while another 34 percent said they don't use it now but would use a bridge — suggesting real latent demand for cross-Sound travel.

Opposition was firm when it appeared.

"I strongly oppose the bridge," wrote one Milford reader.

"We can't maintain our current infrastructure," a Bethany respondent said, questioning whether the state could take on such an ambitious project.

Supporters pushed back on decades of delay — this idea has surfaced repeatedly over the last century without ever gaining traction.

"The longer the delay in building the bridge the more it will cost," wrote a Stonington reader.

One Sandy Hook respondent put it plainly: "A bridge is needed to connect the two. I've been waiting 20+ years! Do it!"

The bill would require a feasibility report to lawmakers by Jan. 1, 2027 — if funding for the study can first be identified. State officials have noted it was not included in the governor's budget.