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Downeast Corridor 1 Committee

About the Committee The mission of the Downeast Corridor 1 Committee is the development, improvement, and enhancement of the U.S. Route 1 Corridor from Ellsworth to Danforth. The committee has over 140 dues-paying members. Monthly meetings, fully open to the public, are held at the Bluebird Family Restaurant in Machias on the first Tuesday of every month. Splinter meetings are occassionally held in Sullivan and in eastern Washington County to reach out to the extensive public.

For those that have been out of the area, the 73-year old "Singing Bridge" between Hancock and Sullivan is now gone and has been replaced with a new concrete bridge. The new "silent bridge" was officially dedicated in August of 1999. A major bridge and road reconstruction project is underway in Machias, with road completion scheduled for July 2003 and three new bridges for 2004. Route 1 in the Cherryfield-Harrington area has been refurbished and now includes paved shoulders. The Corridor 1 Signage committee was instrumental in the creation of the Downeast-Acadia logo and signs by the Maine Department of Transportation. These signs, along with certain destination signs, a billboard sign on Interstate-95 near exit 45A and a large overhead sign in Ellsworth are targeted to encourage increased tourism in Eastern Hancock and Washington Counties. The Scenic By-Ways Sub-committee has been successful in having Route 1 in Sullivan and Route 186 in Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor identified as a National Scenic By-way. Over $600,000 has been awarded the "Schoodic Scenic By-way" for construction of rest areas to afford access for the public to the outstanding views in the Schoodic area.

Two Sullivan sisters came up with a fund-raising idea for the RC&D Council and brought their idea forth to the Route 1 Corridor Committee, who was receptive to the idea of using the Downeaset/Acadia logo on the flag. The idea to create colorful flags using the Downeast-Acadia logo, a sunrise and trees, that has been used to promote US Route 1 and the down east region by the Route 1 Corridor Committee, became reality. Material was ordered and the sisters began cutting out the flag sizes and sewing began. Once sewn, they were sent to a printer to have the logo screen printed on each one. The Maine Department of Transportation approved the placement of one the flags at the end of the new Sullivan bridge. The Down East RC&D Council purchased a larger embroidered flag and donated it for use on the bridge flag pole. Flags may be purchased by the public and come in two sizes, large and small. The large one sells for $25 and is suitable for hanging on a flagpole. The small one, typically used on a home or outside a business, sells for $15 and both can be ordered by contacting Down East RC&D at (207) 546-2368 or via e-mail at dercd@downeastrcd.com.

Recent committee efforts include support for an alternate road around Ellsworth to relieve the heavy traffic congestion problem, coupled with support for a divided highway from Route 395 in Brewer to east of Ellsworth, connecting to an upgraded Route 1 with paved shoulders and passing lanes. In effect, the traveling public and business organizations would be provided with a choice of either traveling Route 9 or an equally safe and modern highway along Maine's unique coastline. RTAC (Regional Transportation Advisory Committee) has included reference to the Corridor 1 vision in their current 20-year plan.

It is noteworthy to report that all the legislators in Hancock and Washington counties endorse the effort of the Route 1 Corridor Committee in their attempt to obtain an improved, safer highway system along the Route 1 Corridor and to create conditions to support a vigorous tourism economy.

All citizens are welcome to join the Corridor 1 effort. Membership entitles you to vote and to receive a copy of the monthly meeting minutes.

Chair: Sanford Kelley of Jonesport, Maine

Mark Your Calendar and Plan to Attend the Next Meeting!
First Tuesday of the month, 12:00 p.m., Blue Bird Family Restaurant, Machias
(Call Sanford Kelley to make certain of the latest date, time and place: 497-2846)

Downeast Route 1 Corridor Committee
Membership Application/Renewal Form
Please enter your contribution and fill out the form below.

Individual ($5):____ Business/Towns/Other ($10):_____ Donation:_________

First Name:____________________ Last Name:________________________
Business/Agency:__________________________________________________
Address Line 1:___________________________________________________
Address Line 2:___________________________________________________
City:_____________________________ State:___________ Zip:___________
Phone 1:_________________ Phone 2:______________ Fax:______________
E-mail:__________________________________________________________

Comments:_______________________________________________________
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Mail to: Lois Hubbard, Treasurer, Downeast Route 1 Corridor Committee, 1561 Mason's Bay Road,
Jonesport ME 04649

(Visits since 6/19/03)
(revised 6/24)