CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: October 1, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

PUBLIC SCOPING MEETING

FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN EIS

I-95 CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

INTERCHANGES 70 TO 84

NEWINGTON, Conn. - State Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter  today announced that a public scoping meeting has been scheduled for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for transportation improvements to the Interstate 95 (I-95) corridor from Interchanges 70 to 84 (State Project No. 170-2725). 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), is initiating the preparation of an EIS to address transportation needs for the I-95 corridor in southeastern Connecticut between Interchanges 70 and 84.  A Notice of Intent (NOI) dated August 15, 2007 was published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2007.

The project corridor is approximately 12.3 miles (21 km) in length and begins in the town of Old Lyme and extends through the towns of East Lyme and Waterford to the city of New London.  This EIS will involve an analysis of several alternatives and their associated environmental concerns.

Improvements to this corridor are considered necessary in order to improve safety and to provide for increases in projected traffic volumes along this portion of I-95 in Connecticut.  Alternatives under consideration include, but are not limited to: (1) taking no action other than routine maintenance of the existing facility; and (2) addition of a third travel lane in each direction.

A public scoping meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Waterford Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT.