Important Update on UI Monopole Proposal

February 6, 2024
I want to share with you an important update on the United Illuminating monopole transmission line project through parts of Fairfield and Bridgeport.

This week, the Connecticut Siting Council (CSC) released a draft decision that recommends UI amend its current project, which would rebuild 7.3 miles of overhead transmission lines from the Fairfield border to Congress Substation in Bridgeport and install dozens of monopoles, some more than 100 feet tall along the south part of the state's railroad corridor. The project would give UI permanent access to 19.25 acres of private property through easements.
CSC, which will release its final decision next month, recommends moving the project 84 feet north to the opposite side of the tracks to avoid more private property, wetlands and bodies of water and reduce radiation levels. The permanent access to private property UI would drop to eight acres, excluding temporary easements for construction.

Shifting the project north will potentially be less intrusive. The present iteration of the project cuts straight through downtown Bridgeport through the West End along the State Street corridor. Our city should be able to preserve its right to develop these sections to create jobs, housing and more economic opportunity.

I have been working diligently with the Mayor and City Attorney’s Office in Bridgeport, as well as the First Selectman and my colleagues in Fairfield, to pressure UI to accept move community input and mitigate the effects of its plans. We also met with UI leadership and the Governor’s Office last week to illustrate the detrimental effects this project would have on the landscape, ecosystem and economy.

Please look out for additional updates from when the final decision is released by CSC in March.

For more information, please read "After Fairfield, Bridgeport residents decry UI 'monopole' project, the structures may move north" in the Connecticut Post.