Maine State Route 3
Encyclopedia
State Route 3 is part of Maine
's system of numbered state highways, running from Interstate 95
exit 113 in Augusta
to an intersection with Route 102 in the village of Somesville
in the town of Mount Desert
, on Mount Desert Island
. Route 3 is 119.3 miles (192 km) in length.
Route 3 uses the Augusta Bypass, a two-lane controlled-access road completed in 2004 to alleviate congestion in the city center (Previous to this, Route 3 followed U.S. Route 202 into Augusta). The bypass ends at U.S. Route 202
on the east end of Augusta, and Route 3 runs concurrently with U.S. 202 (the Belfast Road) to the village of South China
, where U.S. 202 leaves to the north. Route 3 continues east to the city of Belfast
, where it intersects U.S. 1
.
U.S. 1 and Route 3 run concurrently from Belfast through Bucksport, crossing the Penobscot Narrows Bridge
over the Penobscot River
. From Bucksport, Route 3 and U.S. 1 continue along the Acadia Highway to the city of Ellsworth
.
Route 3 leaves U.S. 1 at The Triangle, an intersection at the south end of Ellsworth that has been the center of numerous traffic problems within that city http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/archive/2005/08-04-05/ea_bypass_08-04-05.html. Continuing south through Trenton
, the route crosses a causeway
to Mount Desert Island
. Route 3 follows the island's eastern shore to the tourist town of Bar Harbor
, then continues south through Acadia National Park
to the village of Northeast Harbor
. The route then turns north, running along with Route 198 to its end near the village of Somesville
. Route 3 signs on this last portion of the Route lack directional indicators, as it almost forms a complete loop around the Eastern portion of Mount Desert Island. Signs state "Route" in replacement of directional signs.
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
's system of numbered state highways, running from Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
exit 113 in Augusta
Augusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
to an intersection with Route 102 in the village of Somesville
Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine is the predominant village of the town of Mount Desert, Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island . The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island . It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries...
in the town of Mount Desert
Mount Desert, Maine
Mount Desert is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,109 at the 2000 census. Incorporated in 1789, the town currently encompasses the villages of Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Somesville, Hall Quarry, and Pretty...
, on Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
. Route 3 is 119.3 miles (192 km) in length.
Route 3 uses the Augusta Bypass, a two-lane controlled-access road completed in 2004 to alleviate congestion in the city center (Previous to this, Route 3 followed U.S. Route 202 into Augusta). The bypass ends at U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
on the east end of Augusta, and Route 3 runs concurrently with U.S. 202 (the Belfast Road) to the village of South China
South China, Maine
South China is a village in the town of China in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. It is one of four villages in China.-Communities:South China Lake is home to Friends Camp, a Quaker summer camp currently run by Nat Shed, which has been active for over 50 years. As well, it is the home of a...
, where U.S. 202 leaves to the north. Route 3 continues east to the city of Belfast
Belfast, Maine
Belfast is a city in Waldo County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,668. Located at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River on Penobscot Bay, Belfast is the county seat of Waldo County...
, where it intersects U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway serving the eastern part of the state. It parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire north through Portland, Brunswick, and Belfast to Calais, and then the St. Croix River and the rest of the Canadian border...
.
U.S. 1 and Route 3 run concurrently from Belfast through Bucksport, crossing the Penobscot Narrows Bridge
Penobscot Narrows Bridge
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Penobscot River near Bucksport, Maine. It replaced the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, built in 1931. The new bridge is long. It is one of three bridges in the U.S...
over the Penobscot River
Penobscot River
The Penobscot River is a river in the U.S. state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to , making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains .It arises from four branches...
. From Bucksport, Route 3 and U.S. 1 continue along the Acadia Highway to the city of Ellsworth
Ellsworth, Maine
Ellsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent...
.
Route 3 leaves U.S. 1 at The Triangle, an intersection at the south end of Ellsworth that has been the center of numerous traffic problems within that city http://www.ellsworthamerican.com/archive/2005/08-04-05/ea_bypass_08-04-05.html. Continuing south through Trenton
Trenton, Maine
Trenton is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States, near Acadia National Park. The population was 1,370 at the 2000 census. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport is located in Trenton....
, the route crosses a causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
to Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island
Mount Desert Island , in Hancock County, Maine, is the largest island off the coast of Maine. With an area of it is the 6th largest island in the contiguous United States. Though it is often claimed to be the third largest island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, it is actually second...
. Route 3 follows the island's eastern shore to the tourist town of Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population is 5,235. Bar Harbor is a famous summer colony in the Down East region of Maine. It is home to the College of the Atlantic, Jackson Laboratory and Mount Desert Island...
, then continues south through Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a National Park located in the U.S. state of Maine. It reserves much of Mount Desert Island, and associated smaller islands, off the Atlantic coast...
to the village of Northeast Harbor
Northeast Harbor, Maine
Northeast Harbor is a village on Mount Desert Island, located in the town of Mount Desert in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The village has a significant summer population, and has long been a quiet enclave of the rich and famous. Summer residents include the Rockefeller family, as well as...
. The route then turns north, running along with Route 198 to its end near the village of Somesville
Somesville, Maine
Somesville, Maine is the predominant village of the town of Mount Desert, Maine. It is located on the north end of Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island . The village was established by Abraham Somes who was the first settler on the island . It attracted many people because of its mills and quarries...
. Route 3 signs on this last portion of the Route lack directional indicators, as it almost forms a complete loop around the Eastern portion of Mount Desert Island. Signs state "Route" in replacement of directional signs.
Concurrent routings
- U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
, Route 9: 11 miles (17.7 km), AugustaAugusta, MaineAugusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
to ChinaChina, MaineChina is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,106 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.... - Route 32: 1.2 miles (1.9 km), VassalboroVassalboro, MaineVassalboro is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,047 at the 2000 Census. Vassalboro includes the villages of South Vassalboro, North Vassalboro, and East Vassalboro, home to the town library and sports field.-History:...
- U.S. 1U.S. Route 1 in MaineIn the U.S. state of Maine, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway serving the eastern part of the state. It parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire north through Portland, Brunswick, and Belfast to Calais, and then the St. Croix River and the rest of the Canadian border...
: 39 miles (62.8 km), BelfastBelfast, MaineBelfast is a city in Waldo County, Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,668. Located at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River on Penobscot Bay, Belfast is the county seat of Waldo County...
to EllsworthEllsworth, MaineEllsworth is a city in and the county seat of Hancock County, Maine, United States. The 2010 Census determined it had a population of 7,741. Ellsworth was Maine's fastest growing city from 2000-2010 with a growth rate of nearly 20 percent... - Route 15: 4.4 miles (7.1 km), Bucksport to OrlandOrland, MaineOrland is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,134 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- Route 198: 5.7 miles (9.2 km), Mount DesertMount Desert, MaineMount Desert is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,109 at the 2000 census. Incorporated in 1789, the town currently encompasses the villages of Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Somesville, Hall Quarry, and Pretty...