TRENTON — The Acadia Gateway Center, which was originally expected to open in June, will likely not open until the end of July.
That news emerged during a meeting of the regional League of Towns on May 27.
The visitors center is meant to encourage Mount Desert Island visitors to park their cars and use public transportation, decreasing vehicle traffic onto the island and into Acadia National Park.
Earlier this spring, the Maine Department of Transportation had said the $27 million center would be finished by the end of June.
However, Acadia National Park Management Assistant John Kelly told multiple town managers and staff from throughout the region that power, internet services, tenants needing to move in, placement of furniture and telecommunications will likely not occur in time for a June opening.
“Things are slipping a little,” Kelly said.
Those attending were still enthusiastic about the opening of the building, which has more than 10,000 square feet of space and is on Route 3, a corridor where visitors in motorized vehicles and bikes must go through to get to Acadia National Park and the rest of the island.
“We’re also planning a ribbon cutting event just ahead of that” opening, Kelly said. It will likely occur the week of July 14.
Another source has confirmed Kelly’s statements.
The building will provide information to tourists, but is also meant to be a transit center. People will be encouraged to park and then proceed onto the island via Island Explorer busses, a system mostly funded by federal grants, private donations and town budgets.
“It’s an incredible building,” Kelly said. “Twenty-two years in the making. A testament to sticking with it.”
Traffic management has been one of the park’s major priorities. This past Memorial Day weekend saw traffic back-ups along Oceanside Drive and multiple overflowing parking areas. A TikTok user even posted a video of hikers on the Beehive Trail.
When combined with a park-and-ride lot that opened back in 2012, the center will offer space for 400 passenger cars to park as well as approximately 20 RVs.
Buses will likely depart at 20 minute intervals daily between 9 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. to go to Bar Harbor. Commuters will have two departures prior to 8 a.m. There will also be evening returns.
Maine DOT did not immediately provide more information.
This story was originally published by The Bar Harbor Story. To receive regular coverage from the Bar Harbor Story, sign up for a free subscription here.
