After several delays, the Route 27 sidewalk connecting Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor is slated for construction in the spring 2018. This mile-long pedestrian connection, which will be ADA compliant, will allow people to safely walk alongRoute 27 from the schools and YMCA to the Boothbay Common and Harold B. Clifford Playground and Community Fields eliminating the need to bus children to this community resource.

Dan Bryer, town manager of Boothbay, who is the local project administrator for the Route 27 Sidewalk Project, states “some base work is already underway as the sidewalk will be linked with the roundabout. The project is projected to be completed in 2018.”

The sidewalk project was advanced by a consortium of local organizations and individuals called the Boothbay Region Community Trail Partnership (BRCTP). This group consisted of the Boothbay Region YMCA (BRYMCA),Boothbay Region Land Trust, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor school superintendent, town managers of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County Health Care president, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce and others. The BRCTP developed the Maine Department of Transportation grant that was first approved for design funds in 2012. The sidewalk construction was originally scheduled for funding in the MDOT Work Plan for 2014-2015. It is now targeted to be constructed in spring 2018 at a total cost of $670,856.

The MDOT grant required a community local match of 20 percent of the total cost, which is $134,170. With donations from private individuals, grant funding and other sources, the community match has finally been acquired. The BRCTP and BRYMCA have now raised over $95,000 to complete the 20 percent local match required for the building of the project. The towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor also contributed to the match.

Major community funders include Paul and Giselaine Coulombe, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Schacknow Family Foundation and Win and Lori Mitchell, who hosted the first Harbor Fest Half Marathon & 5K to benefit the sidewalk project. Additionally, many local individuals contributed to the project. The BRCTP and the BRYMCA are appreciative of all who contributed to help make our community a safer place for walkers and bikers. Safe walkways encourage the routine healthy activities of walking and biking as alternative transportation modes.

Tom Woodin, town manager of Boothbay Harbor, said,"This sidewalk is a great addition to the excellent work already underway at Boothbay common.It’s good news for the community – Boothbay Harbor is fully behind the sidewalk.”