Ellsworth Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Connector Project

The project seeks to connect the City’s existing Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail (from Lakes Lane to Birch Avenue) with the Downeast Sunrise Trail (near the Beals Avenue and High Street intersection).  The City has been working on this project with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) since 2019. Below is more information on the planning phase of the project and the engineering & design phase.

ELLSWORTH MULTIUSE PATHWAY ENGINEERING & DESIGN PHASE (2022 – 2026)

Through the award of federal and state funding, the City is able to move forward with the engineering & design phase of this project. Tasks to be accomplished include:

  • Preliminary engineering – Right-of-Way mapping, existing conditions, utilities, railroad.
  • Preliminary design – Birch Avenue to Main Street
  • Preliminary design – Main Street to Beals Avenue
  • Final Design
  • Environmental Review and Permitting
  • Final Plans

As of summer 2023, the preliminary engineering tasks have just begun. Right-of-Way mapping and surveying is in process. We anticipate the first public meeting to occur in October/November of 2023.

Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Connectivity Feasibility Study Phase (2019 – 2021)

Project Overview

  • The City of Ellsworth and MaineDOT agreed to work together through MaineDOT’s Planning Partnership Initiative (PPI) program to conduct this Study.
  • Study’s purpose is to evaluate and analyze connectivity alternatives between
    the Ellsworth Trail and the Sunrise Trail.
  • Potential improvements to be considered may include:
      • New/rehabilitated sidewalks and curb ramps
      • Roadway pavement markings (e.g. crosswalks, lane marking, shared lane marking and bicycle lane markings)
      • Signs (e.g. Destination and wayfinding signs, parking restrictions, bike and pedestrian crossing signs and advance warning signs)
      • Enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist street crossings/intersection treatments
      • Drainage adjustments
      • Roadway and trail improvements
  • Three public meetings and numerous meetings with a Technical Advisory Committee, consisting of members of the public/stakeholders, City staff and officials, and MaineDOT staff, occurred during this planning process.
  • An alternatives and cost analysis was conducted in order to provide the City with options on a chosen path moving forward.
  • To learn more about the public engagement process, methodology, and alternative path locations study, please view the feasibility study.

Final Feasibility Study