Transportation is a big problem for every unbridged island. And every island has, in turn, come up with unique ways of meeting the challenge of getting to and from the mainland.
Few arrangements are as complex as those used by those getting to and from Chebeague Island. A wharf on Cousins Island in Yarmouth (which is bridged) has long been Chebeague’s primary access to the mainland, used both by the Chebeague Transportation Company and individual boats. However this area was not originally designed for the volume of use it currently receives, providing an ongoing challenge to residents of both Chebeague and Cousins island.
Chebeague Island voters approved the funding for improvements to the Wharf Road on Cousins Island at an April 4 Special Town Meeting.
The project, which is scheduled to start after Labor Day, will relieve congestion at the site, add sidewalk access and improved lighting, and will also provide a turnaround for Chebeague Transportation Company buses, ending the need to back down over the hill. These improvements are designed to remove congestion and improve safety in the area.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $770,000. The Town of Chebeague is responsible for 20 percent of these costs (approx. $154,000), which will come out of the town’s undesignated fund balance. The remaining balance will be paid by the state.
When construction is complete, the town will also have to contribute $15,000 annually to a long-term maintenance and replacement fund of approximately $15,000 (up from $5,000 currently). This fund will also be funded in part by the Town of Yarmouth.
Many people spoke in support of the project, highlighting the safety concerns surrounding the current road situation. Currently, there is a narrow road going down a hill to the wharf with no sidewalk. Pedestrians must walk up the hill to the nearby Blanchard Parking lot from the wharf. There is little space for vehicles to turn around at the wharf itself, especially at high traffic times when the boat arrives.
Cars without permits to park in the Blanchard Lot must park at a lot off Route 1 in Cumberland. This means that a bus must meet every boat to transport riders to this lot, and must back down the hill to the wharf. These factors combine to create congestion and many safety hazards in the area.
Concerns about approval focused primarily on the initial and long term maintenance costs of the new facility, and the fact that there is no guarantee at this point for repeal of the unpopular “over the hill” ordinance, which prohibits vehicles (other than buses and emergency vehicles) from accessing the wharf from Friday through Sunday, when the wharf is often busiest. The lack of access means that residents must make several trips walking up and down the hill from the lot to bring groceries or other items to the boat, which can be especially challenging for families with young children.
Additional information and a drawing of the plans are available at www.townofchebeagueisland.org.
Thea Youngs is the Island Institute fellow on Chebeague Island.