ME-2022-016

This application is to request FY20 Section 5339(b) funds apportioned to Maine in the amount of $9,000,000.

Purpose:
The award will utilize Federal Bus and Bus Facilities Discretionary Program (D2020-BUSC-142), as announced in the Federal Register on August 18, 2020, for Phase 2 of the Acadia Gateway Center. The total estimated project cost is $23 million, with multiple public and private partners. MaineDOT has pledged $5.5 million in state funds towards the project.

Activities to be performed:
The Acadia Gateway Center is a combined intermodal welcome center and bus maintenance facility in Trenton, Maine, designed to intercept day visitors to Acadia National Park and other destinations on Mount Desert Island and transfer them to the Island Explorer bus system. Phase 2 will entail final design and construction of the intermodal facility and visitor welcome center, delivering long-awaited public benefits including safety improvements, congestion mitigation, resource protection, and preservation of the visitor experience. Completion of the intermodal center will fulfill recommendations of both the FTA-led NEPA review issued in 2006 and the NPS Record of Decision on the Acadia National Park Transportation Plan issued in 2019. The plan was approved on May 9, 2019, confirming that construction of the Acadia Gateway Center intermodal facility is a critical component of managing traffic and promoting safety while protecting natural resources, roadway infrastructure, and visitor experience at the most popular national park in the eastern United States.

Phase 1 of the project, including all-phase site planning and construction of the road, bus maintenance facility, and park and ride lot, was completed in 2012.

Expected outcomes:
Reduced congestion in and around Acadia National Park and surrounding communities, along with improved safety corridors for the Island Explorer bus service.

Intended beneficiaries:
Residents in the region, visitors to Acadia National Park, and neighboring communities such as Bar Harbor.

Subrecipients:
N/A

Project funding prior to this application:
The total cost of Phase 1 equaled $14,731,747 and included $3.3 million in state bond funds. The sources of federal funds for all phases to-date are as follows:
- Bus Earmark ME-03-0042 - Approved 9/15/05 - $242,945
- Bus Earmark ME-04-0001 - Approved 5/26/06 - $680,130
- Bus Earmark ME-04-0001-01 - Approved 8/23/07 - $714,000
- Bus Earmark ME-04-0001-02 - Approved 9/10/08 - $776,000
- Bus Earmark ME-04-0001-03 - Approved 8/17/10 - $823,000
- HPP Funds ME-55-0001 - Approved 11/18/10 - $4,005,900
- ATPL Funds ME-20-X003 - Approved 1/24/11 - $1,000,000
- Rural - ME-18-X042 - Approved 9/4/2008 - $106,801 (Real Estate Acquisition)
- Rural - ME-18X043 - $379,819
- Rural/Intercity - ME-18-X044 - Approved 1/21/11 - $883,110
- Rural - ME-18-046 - Approved 3/22/11 - $1,525,104
- Rural ME-18-X048 - $1,370,555
- TRIP ME-20-X004 - $3,000,000
- TRIP ME-20-X004-01 - $800,000

MaineDOT executed the FY2022 Certifications and Assurances in TRAMS on February 7, 2022, and is current with all civil rights requirements. All statutory requirements have been met in accordance with the Section 5339 Bus and Bus Facility Program as articulated in Circular 5100.1.

Maine Department Of Transportation

20.526 - Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs

FTA Region 1 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Maine United States

State-Wide

None