Connecticut State Council on Environmental Quality

Cribari Bridge

Notice of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) for Rehabilitation/Replacement of the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge

Address of possible action location: Bridge No. 01349 (William Cribari Memorial Bridge) carrying Route 136 over the Saugatuck River

Municipality where the action might be located: Westport

Description: The purpose of the project is to provide a resilient structure that: addresses the structural and functional deficiencies of the existing bridge; and accommodates safe vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and marine traffic.

Five alternatives are examined in the EIE document:

  • No Build Alternative 
  • Conservation Alternative (restoring the bridge to a similar condition to that of the 1990's rehabilitation project) 
  • Rehabilitation Alternative
  • On-Alignment Replacement Alternative
  • Off-Alignment Replacement Alternative

Details of each alternative and a discussion of the environmental impacts associated with each are found in the EIE. 

The Cribari Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Map:  Access a map of the area.

Scoping Notice and Post Scoping Notice: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) published a Notice of Scoping on May 17, 2016, and a Post-Scoping Notice on August 4, 2020, for this action in the Environmental Monitor.

Comments on this EIE will be accepted until the close of business on Friday, April 17, 2026. 

The public can access the EIE at https://portal.ct.gov/environmentaldocuments or on the project website at portal.ct.gov/Cribari-Bridge. Hardcopies of the document can be found at the following locations:

  • CTDOT, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
  • FHWA CT Division Office, 450 Main Street, Suite 612, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Westport Town Hall, Town Clerk's Office, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
  • Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880
  • Western CT Council of Governments, 1 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482

There will be a public hearing for the EIE: 

DATE: Thursday, March 19, 2026
TIME: 6:00 p.m. Open House, presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. 
PLACE: Westport Town Hall Auditorium, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
NOTES: The hearing location is ADA accessible. Persons needing ADA accommodations or language assistance may contact CTDOT's Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least 5 business days prior to the hearing. ADA accommodations and/or language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).

Other information: Since the project involves funding through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the project must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), therefore the document is a joint NEPA/CEPA Environmental Assessment/ Environmental Impact Evaluation (EA/EIE).

Comments/Questions about the EIE and/or the public hearing should be sent to (E-mail preferred):

Name: Mr. James Barrows, Project Manager
Agency: CT Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546
Website/E-Mail: bit.ly/158-214Westport

Comments and questions may also be submitted by calling the CTDOT's public feedback line at (860) 594-2020.

Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:

Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: CT Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131-7546
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov

What Happens Next: 
The CTDOT will review the comments received and may conduct further environmental study and analysis or amend the evaluation. The CTDOT will prepare responses to the substantive issues raised in review of and comment on the EIE and any supplemental materials or amendments. Those responses and all supplemental materials and comments shall be made available in a "Record of Decision", the notice of which will appear in the Environmental Monitor for public inspection.