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 Regional Transportation Planning 
As the state designated Regional Planning Organization (RPO) for Washington County, WCCOG works with Maine DOT and other transportation stakeholders on various regional transportation planning projects. Recent statewide coordination and regional transportation planning efforts include:

• Corridor management planning

• Route 1 Mobility and Safety Analysis

• Assistance with Down East Regional Airport siting study

• Assistance with Downeast Sunrise Trail planning

Other useful regional and statewide transportation plans:

• SIPCRES (Strategic Investment Priorities for Corridors of Regional Economic Significance) (PDF 464 KB) 3/19/2007

• Maine DOT Long Range Plan [link]

• Maine DOT Six Year Plan (2010 - 2015) (PDF 1.2 MB) 4/19/2009

• Maine DOT Biennial Capital Work Plan for FY2010/2011, Washington County(PDF 188 KB)

 Route 1 Mobility and Safety Analysis  
Route 1 is the primary transportation corridor for coastal Washington County, Route 1 and Route 1A provides vital transportation links for freight, commuter and tourist traffic moving into, out of and through coastal Washington County.

Municipal land use regulations must play a role in preserving the corridor’s ability to serve as a regional transportation artery. At the same time, design solutions that facilitate the separation of freight from commuter and tourist traffic are also neededto maintain an adequate level of service. 

This report identifies three primary strategies for separating freight from commuter and tourist traffic:

• improved turning access to facilitate separation of commuter and through-traffic;
• additional scenic pull-offs to facilitate separation of tourist and freight traffic; and
• the addition of passing lanes.

Click here to download a PDF (2.9 MB) version of the report. For more information, contact Judy East at 454-0465.

 Down East Regional Airport
The WCCOG is assisting the Town of Machias with the public processes needed to address the federally required Environmental Assessment for the proposed relocation of the Down East Regional Airport and creation of an airport authority structure.

A Draft Environmental Assessment for the Down East Regional Airport in Washington County, Maine was issued on September 18, 2006. Subsequent to the public hearing in November 2006, a decision was made to reassess alternative site options. A new Draft Environmental Assessment for a site in Marshfield was issued in March 2009. The draft environmental assessment is available for public review at the WCCOG office in Machias.

For more information, please contact Judy East at 454-0465.

Regional Airport Authority
On a separate track, WCCOG worked with the Town of Machias and MDOT to review state legislation relative to airport authorities in Maine. Airport authorities are cooperative inter-municipal entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of regional airports. Membership in an airport authority will be open to area municipalities on a voluntary basis. To view the revised legislation enabling creation of creation airport authorities, click here.

For more information, please contact Judy East at 454-0465.

WCCOG is a municipal membership organization that delivers a wide range of customized planning, advisory
and resources development services to help communities build the future of Washington County, Maine.

Washington County Council of Gov'ts
PO Box 631, Calais, ME 04619
(207) 454-0465 Fax: (207) 454-2568
Toll free (888) 287-3006