MDOT Says That Phase One Of Bar Harbor Route 3 Project Nearly Complete – Detour Will Change

But there's a long road ahead.

The Maine Department Of Transportation released information yesterday that said phase one of the massive Route 3 reconstruction project on Mount Desert Island should be wrapped up by Thanksgiving Day.

The work began early the past Spring, and the two and a half year, $17.9 million project, that spans from a point 0.57 miles west of Sand Point Road to the intersection of Route 3/Eden Street and Route 233 in Bar Harbor will be completed in the Spring of 2019.

Next spring, the reconstruction of Route 3 will proceed below Crooked Road into Bar Harbor to the end point at the intersection of Routes 3 and 233. The start date will be determined according to weather, and outbound traffic will be detoured to Paradise Hill Road.

Work this winter will include will include additional site drainage construction and water line work plus, weather permitting, larger drainage structures near West Street and near College of the Atlantic.

In the press release, MaineDOT Senior Project Manager Rhobe Moulton stated, "We are on schedule, and the contractors have accomplished everything that we planned for this first phase of the project. We are so appreciative of the cooperation and patience of locals and visitors alike as we work to improve this important roadway." She summarized the accomplishments thus far as:

- All new drainage and drainage structures completed from Pirates Cove to Crooked Road.

- Roadway reconstruction and new pavement with 4-foot wide paved shoulders for approximately 2 miles of Route 3 from just west of Sand Point Road to Crooked Road.

- New sidewalks from the location of Gallagher's Travels Motel & Cabins to Crooked Road.

- Obstructions have been removed and the water view has been improved from Lookout Point Road to Crooked Road.

- New rock walls have been constructed on the downhill approach to Crooked Road, enhancing the appearance of the entrance to Bar Harbor.

Folks can stay updated on the project's progress by visiting the MDOT WEBSITE and by signing up for email alerts right there.