News & Resources

FAQs

General

Q: Can I submit a request to light the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in a certain color on a certain date?

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) does not accept requests for lighting the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge.

The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge is a vital element of the State’s transportation infrastructure, an engineering and construction marvel and the signature gateway to New Haven. But first and foremost, it is a memorial. As a steward of the bridge, the Department of Transportation is committed to presenting the public with an attractive, year-round experience, while preserving the solemnity and dignity of the bridge’s memorial functions.

Memorial lighting consists of three lamp fixtures on each of the two center towers that project narrow beams of light skyward, with the bridge illuminated in red, white and blue with the lettering located on the interior side of the anchor piers washed in clean white light. Memorial lighting shall only be used from dusk and till dawn with the three lamp fixtures on each of the center tower piers going off at 1:00 AM on the following dates:

  • Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights of Memorial Day weekend

  • The night before and night of Independence Day (July 4)

  • The night before and night of 9/11

  • The night before and the night of Veterans Day (November 11)

  • The night before and night of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)

On all other calendar days, the bridge will be illuminated in hues of blue and/or green in accordance with the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge Aesthetic/Memorial Proposal to mitigate potential negative impacts to certain migratory species, as approved by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on August 19, 2014.

Q: Who funded this program?

The I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program was financed through a combination of direct contributions from federal funds and state funding. The CTDOT utilized multiple federal highway programs to maximize flexibility. 87% of funding for the Program was from federal sources; the remainder was paid by the State of Connecticut.

The State has a dedicated Special Transportation Fund (STF) that was fully established by the Legislature in 1984. More detailed information about the STF is provided in the CTDOT's Master Transportation Plan. The Bureau of Highways annually receives bonding authorizations that are financed by the STF. These bonds and other special bond authorizations are used to provide the State match for transportation infrastructure projects.

Q: How did Program affect air quality in the New Haven area?

A goal of the Program's capacity improvements is to improve traffic flow through the New Haven area. The improved traffic flow provides improved air quality by reducing traffic delays and backups. This translates to fewer idling vehicles and reduces the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile hydrocarbons (VOC's) and inhalable particulates (PM10) that are harmful to the regions environmental health.

For the I-95 NHHC Corridor Improvement Program, the CTDOT implemended the Connecticut Clean Air Initiative. Emissions of PM10, NOx and CO will be reduced when construction equipment greater than 60 horse power are retrofit with emissions-reducing devices, such as oxidation catalysts, or are powered by clean fuels, such as PuriNox. Additionally, the initiative limits the time for idling construction vehicles, which translates to reduced emissions.

Q: How can I obtain more information about the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program?

For more information on the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program, please contact the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).

Electronic Contact Us Form: By using our electronic contact us form, you can quickly send us your questions, comments and concerns. Your comments will automaticall be routed to the appropriate division and personnel within our agency. We appreciate you reaching out to us, and welcome your feedback.

CTDOT Information Line: 860-594-2000

Mailing Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpile, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546

Q: What causes construction vibrations?

Construction vibration is generated by heavy equipment movement and work operations. The degree to which vibration effects nearby buildings and people varies greatly depending on the geology of soil, distance from the area under construction, as well as the type and duration of construction activities. The installation of pile supported bridge foundations and sheet piling were the two main causes of vibrations within the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program.

Q: What determines how intense the vibrations are?

There are many factors that affect the intensity, magnitude or level of vibrations. Vibration is mechanical energy in motion. Vibration propagates in all directions similar to the waves created when a rock is dropped into water. The strength or intensity of the vibration rapidly decreases as the distance from the source increases. The geology of the soil, the coupling efficiency and susceptibility of the existing buildings and in particular their foundations, also affect the intensity of the vibrations experienced.

Roadway

Q: Why is the new bridge being called a "signature" bridge?

The new Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge is an extradosed cable stay bridge, and was the first of its kind in the United States. An extradosed bridge provides a distinctly aesthetic structure for the City of New Haven and the South Central region of Connecticut and has advanced the nation's bridge technology in this new and innovative type of design. Extradosed bridges have structural characteristics similar to concrete box girder and cable-stayed bridges and have been successful for several years in both Europe and Japan.

Q: Why did the Program stop in Branford - what about taking three lanes all the way to Rhode Island?

A study to expand I-95 to three lanes between Branford and Rhode Island was completed by CTDOT Bureau of Policy and Planning. For more information, contact the Bureau of Policy and Planning or view the I-95 Branford to Rhode Island Feasibility Study here. 

Q: How many lanes are on the completed Pearl Harbor Memorial (Q) Bridge?

There are five lanes of travel on both I-95 Northbound and I-95 Southbound.

Transit

Q: What other types of transit improvements have been completed by the Program?

As part of the Construction Traffic Management Plan, the new train stations in Branford, Clinton, and Guilford were opened to the public in the fall of 2005. Improvements to the Madison station were completed in 2008 and the Westbrook Station opened in March, 2014.

The Branford, Clinton and Madison stations include south side platforms and the Guilford station features a pedestrian bridge connecting the south side platform to the north side parking lot. The Westbrook Station consists of 2 platforms and a free commuter park-and-ride lot.

Improvements to the stations, including parking are ADA compliant and part of the Shoreline East Line.

Q: How do I use the Commuter Connection bus in New Haven?

The Commuter Connection Downtown route meets trains at State Street Station on weekday mornings and makes a return trip along the same route in the evening for trains departing Union Station. The bus is specifically timed to arriving trains and will wait if the train is not on time. A combined bus/rail ticket is available where Shore Line East tickets are sold. Visit www.shorelineeast.com or call 1-800-ALL-RIDE for more information. The CTTransit local J Route and the free Union Station/New Haven Green shuttle operate from Union Station. Visit www.cttransit.com or call 203-624-0151 for more information.