This story appears as part of a collaboration to strengthen investigative journalism in Maine between the BDN and The Maine Monitor. Read more about the partnership.
MACHIAS, Maine — The Maine Department of Transportation has reversed course, telling the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan Leadership Committee that its only option is a precise replacement of the ailing Machias Dike.
Tora Johnson, a committee member and director of the Sustainable Prosperity Initiative at the Sunrise County Economic Council, told the Machias Select Board during its Jan. 28 meeting about the unexpected decision, calling it “frustrating.”
“There’s a lot of fallout that’s going to come out of that,” she said.
The committee, formed in January 2025, is a collaboration between Machias and the Sunrise County Economic Council to address key issues, including downtown flooding, replacement of the Machias Dike Bridge and water quality.
Ben Edwards, a member of the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan Leadership Committee and vice chair of the Machias Select Board, said his understanding over the past year was that the Department of Transportation would support whatever solution the community chose to fix the Machias Dike.
The committee spent the past year researching alternatives to an in‑kind replacement, which would include clappers — or gated culverts.
“That is a new development, as far as I’m concerned, and that really has kind of ripped the rug out from under the conversations that we’ve been having,” Edwards said. “We find ourselves in an interesting situation here, having spent a year investigating alternatives that MDOT now says are not viable.”
According to a draft issue report on the dike from last November, the department “outlined a range of options for replacing the structure, including an open bridge span that allows tidewater to pass, open box culverts that allow some tidewater through, or fully gated culverts that prevent all tidewater from entering the Middle River above the dike.”
The dike carries Route 1, utility lines and the Downeast Sunrise Trail across the Middle River. Recent storms have damaged the 150‑year‑old structure.
“I’m very displeased with how this has unfolded,” Edwards said.
He added that he is “committed to getting to the bottom of how this happened,” noting that it remains unclear how the Department of Transportation arrived at its new position.
The committee is expected to present formal recommendations on how to handle issues, including the dike, downtown flooding and water quality, at a public meeting scheduled for Feb. 23.
In other matters, the Select Board approved the purchase of a $34,457 ambulance stretcher. The Machias Ambulance Service has also acquired a new ambulance, which is expected to be delivered in March or April.
Chief Ryan Maker of the Machias Ambulance Service said he plans to continue using the ambulance that was set to be replaced for in-town calls, noting that rising call volumes in recent years make the extra vehicle necessary.
“In order to keep it, we need a stretcher,” Maker said.
He said he is confident there is enough room in the budget to cover the unexpected cost of the stretcher.
The Select Board’s next meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 11.
