Developer Steve Shapiro of Easton has spent the past month giving interviews to newspapers and TV stations across the tri-state as part of his plan to build a $50 billion bridge connecting Bridgeport to Long Island – with the goal of dramatically reducing traffic and boosting Connecticut's economy. Now, Shapiro wants to make his pitch directly to President Donald Trump.

"We're in the process of preparing a formal proposal to present to the White House for President Trump's consideration," Shapiro told News 12.

"We don't want Connecticut or New York taxpayers to foot the bill. We believe the federal government should pay for the bridge," he said.

"There are over 3 million people living on Long Island. There are over 3 million people living in Connecticut. In the state that begins with the word connect, in the city that begins with the word bridge, wouldn't it be amazing if this 14-mile span could connect all of them?" Shapiro said.

For more than 70 years, Connecticut and New York leaders have debated the idea of building such a bridge, with a major study commissioned in 2017 laying out the plan's benefits and challenges, Shapiro said.

"The time is perfect right now to consider moving forward with the idea," Shapiro said, arguing the span would dramatically increase the GDP of both states while reducing carbon emissions by an equal rate.

While some people have expressed environmental and noise concerns, Shapiro says "the advantages on those fronts make the proposition a win-win for everyone."

Shapiro says he plans to have a final proposal delivered to the White House within the next two weeks.