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PAST, PRESENT,
& prosperous FUTURE
Past: A Vision Decades in the Making
The idea of a fixed crossing over Long Island Sound has been discussed for nearly a century. As early as 1938, U.S. Senator Royal Copeland proposed an 18-mile bridge linking Long Island to either Connecticut or Rhode Island. In 1957, Charles H. Sells of the New York State Department of Public Works proposed two possible crossings, including the well-known Oyster Bay–Rye Bridge.
During the 1960s, transportation planner Robert Moses advanced the Oyster Bay–Rye concept as part of a regional highway beltway around New York City. Studies at the time suggested the bridge could relieve congestion on existing crossings such as the Throgs Neck Bridge and Bronx–Whitestone Bridge, while expanding economic opportunities on both sides of the Sound. However, political opposition, financing challenges, and new environmental regulations halted the proposal.
Over the decades, numerous studies and proposals continued exploring the concept of a cross-Sound link. These included private proposals for tunnels, state feasibility studies, and a 2018 proposal from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to build a tunnel. Despite recurring interest, no project has advanced beyond planning and feasibility discussions.
Present: Renewed Interest in Hybrid Crossing
Today, the idea is back with a real plan behind it. The Freedom Crossing is a 14-mile road and rail link between Bridgeport, Connecticut and the Sunken Meadow Parkway near Kings Park, New York. It is one concrete hybrid design: two shore tunnels, two artificial islands, and a bridge across the middle of the Sound.
Developer Stephen Shapiro and a coalition of supporters have brought the plan to Connecticut lawmakers, showing how a direct connection across Long Island Sound would cut travel times and strengthen economic ties between Long Island and New England. Right now, anyone traveling between Long Island and Connecticut has two choices: take a ferry, like the Bridgeport–Port Jefferson route, or drive through New York City's crowded crossings. Residents and local leaders on both sides of the Sound see the crossing as a way to grow the economy, move freight faster, and bring the region closer together.
Freedom Crossing
Prosperous Future: A Connected Region
A hybrid crossing between Bridgeport and Long Island could significantly strengthen regional economic connectivity and mobility.
Expanded regional labor market: A hybrid crossing would effectively merge parts of Connecticut and Long Island into one commuting region. Travel between Bridgeport and Long Island could drop from roughly 75 minutes by ferry or several hours through New York City highways to approximately 15–20 minutes by car. This would allow workers to live in one state and work in the other more easily while giving businesses access to a larger regional workforce. Increased job mobility and cross-state commuting could strengthen economic competitiveness across the region.
Growth in tourism and consumer activity: Easier travel across Long Island Sound could increase short-trip tourism between Connecticut and Long Island. Long Island residents could more easily visit Connecticut’s beaches, restaurants, casinos, and cultural destinations, while Connecticut residents could access Long Island’s North Shore, wineries, and coastal attractions. Increased tourism could generate billions of dollars annually in economic activity, supporting hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.
Improved freight and supply chains: Currently, trucks moving goods between New England and Long Island must travel through congested New York City crossings or rely on limited ferry service. A hybrid crossing would create a new freight corridor, improving logistics, reducing shipping costs, and supporting growth in ports, warehouses, and regional distribution networks.
An Inverse Chesapeake Bay:
Built to Protect the Coast
One reason past proposals failed is that a giant bridge would ruin the views that make the shoreline special. The Freedom Crossing solves that with a hybrid design built around two artificial islands, an inverse Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that keeps the crossing out of sight from the coast, protects the shoreline, and opens up new space for recreation and boating. The islands can also be built to create reef habitat that supports marine life, and by giving drivers and freight a direct route, the crossing may take as many as a quarter million cars off the road.
Freedom Crossing
Economic revitalization for Bridgeport: Many advocates believe the largest localized impact would be in Bridgeport. Increased accessibility could encourage new investment in housing, hotels, retail, and entertainment while strengthening the city’s role as a regional transportation hub linking Long Island, Fairfield County, and Metro-North rail service.
Construction jobs and investment: A project of this scale, costing $50 billion, would generate significant economic activity during construction.
Long-term regional integration: Over time, a cross-Sound connection could help integrate two major suburban economies into a larger regional marketplace. With 15–20 million people living within driving distance, improved connectivity could support business expansion, workforce mobility, and stronger economic ties between Long Island and New England.
In simple terms, a Bridgeport–Long Island crossing could boost tourism, improve freight efficiency, expand commuting opportunities, and support economic development, while also prompting important discussions about cost, environmental protection, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Sign the petition
$50 billion, one structure, decades of return to the people who live along this corridor. Help make it real.