MAJOR TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES AND CHALLENGES

• Traffic volumes are increasing throughout Hancock County. Arterial corridors include Route 1A, Route 1, Route 3, Route 9 and Route 15 from Bucksport north. Average annual daily traffic on Route 1 in Hancock and Route 3 in Trenton has doubled in roughly 20 years.
• Average commuting times have increased by 24.4 percent (from 18 minutes to 22.4 minutes) in the past ten years. Virtually all commuting occurs in single-occupancy automobiles.
• Traffic volume on arterials and major collector roads is projected to increase, leading to added congestion.
• With the exception of rail service to the International Paper Mill in Bucksport, all freight movement in Hancock County is by truck. With the exception of Route 9, most trucking on the County is tied to local production or consumption. There is relatively little "through" truck traffic. Impediments to trucking include:
• narrow and rough roads without passing lanes,
• tight turning radii at intersections,
• seasonal posting on older and poorly built roads, and
• traffic congestion, particularly in Ellsworth and MDI.
• Passenger transportation options in Hancock County continue to be very limited.
• Year-round fixed route bus service is provided within the county by Downeast Transportation (DTI, Inc.), visiting most towns once per week.
• The Island Explorer, also operated by DTI, Inc. provides frequent, free bus service on Mount Desert Island during the height of the tourist season..
• Ride-on-demand service is provided by the Washington-Hancock Community Agency, particularly for persons qualified under Medicare and Medicaid programs.
• Private and state run ferries connect several islands with the mainland, and provide connector service between Bar Harbor and Winter Harbor.
• Inter-city bus service is provided by Vermont Transit with one bus daily traveling between Bar Harbor, Ellsworth and Bangor.
• High speed international ferries provide seasonal travel from Canada to Bar Harbor.
• The Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport operates year round and is experiencing increased ridership.
• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities continue to be very limited. Major corridors, such as Route 1A, are narrow and do not have paved shoulders. Plans are in place to close critical infrastructure gaps in bike ways on Route 1, Route 15 and Route 186. Recreational trails for walking and biking are concentrated within Acadia National Park.

• Local freight movement is impeded by inadequate roads, particularly those with seasonal weight limit posting. Some investments and construction projects are delayed by postings.
• Old, narrow roads and traffic congestion may discourage business investment into the region.
• Traffic congestion results in losses in worker productivity and accounts for increases in property and human losses due to traffic accidents.
• Air quality is harmed by auto emissions, affecting our health.
• The lack of safe and efficient bikeways and pedestrian ways discourages much needed physical activity, contributing to climbing rates of obesity and chronic diseases.
• Increasing traffic congestion is assured while Hancock County continues to grow in an unplanned manner.

• The Maine Department of Transportation
• The Maine Department of Transportation Division 2 (Hancock and Washington Counties) office is located on High Street in Ellsworth.
• Planning for transportation includes a Regional Transportation Advisory Committee for Division 2. The RTAC provides input for twenty year, six year and two year plans, a Regional Advisory Report and special studies including freight, passenger and bicycle studies and projects of major importance. HCPC and EMDC support the RTAC.
• MDOT has provided grants for research on:
• development of the rail corridor between Brewer, Ellsworth and Trenton
• design alternatives for the Town of Trenton and the Route 3 corridor
• a study of local measures to relieve traffic congestion in downtown Ellsworth.
• The Hancock County Planning Commission provides general technical assistance to towns on questions about Transportation.
• Local coalitions have formed to facilitate transportation for elderly and disabled persons. Island Connections serves residents of Mount Desert Island. A new coalition is forming to assist families in and around Ellsworth.
• Transportation providers in the region include Downeast Transit, Inc., Washington-Hancock Community Agency and West Transportation have recently been evaluated in the Biennial Operations Plan (still in draft form, but available on the HCPC web site).
• There are two National Scenic Byways (Schoodic and Acadia) and one State Scenic Byway (Blackwoods) in Hancock County. These byways have independent national and state funding to promote safety, scenic preservation, tourism and other economic goals.