In this update newsletter:
- MMT Corridor Study scheduled to be completed September.
- Richmond has applied for MaineDOT funds for construction of the first leg of the trail.
- Midcoast Council of Governments has applied for a TIGER II Planning Grant.
CORRIDOR STUDY
Midcoast Council of Governments has selected VHB to conduct the corridor study for the proposed Merrymeeting Trail.
The overall goal for creating a Corridor Study is to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing the creation of
a regional rail-trail that will serve as a recreational and transportation linkage. The Corridor Study will allow us to
identify possible alternatives for phasing the trail’s construction and ultimately allow us to pursue funding for the
construction of the Merrymeeting Trail. The Corridor Study will be complete by the end of September 2010.
We are able to do the corridor study thanks to the following funding:
- $20,000 Regional Challenge Grant from the State Planning Office
- $20,000 from MDOT
- $13,500 from Maine Outdoor Heritage Board
- $1,000 from the City of Gardiner
- $1,000 from the Town of Richmond
- $1,000 from the Town of Bowdoinham
- $1,000 from Topsham Development Incorporated
- $1,000 from Friends of Kennebec River Rail Trail
WEBSITE
The Merrymeeting Trail now has its own website thanks to Victor Langelo, Topsham Resident.
Please visit us at www.merrymeetingtrail.org and sign-up for our E-newsletter.
GRANTS
The Town of Richmond has applied to Maine Department of Transportation’s Quality Community Program for construction funding.
This funding will be used to construct a segment of the Merrymeeting Trail, which will serve to connect the village area.
Good luck to Richmond!!!
Midcoast Council of Governments has submitted a pre-application for a TIGER II Planning Grant to do the preliminary design report.
Midcoast Council of Governments has applied for a Community Building Grant from Maine Community Foundation
to support the creation of the organization structure(s) for the trail.
Project Participants & Supporters
The following groups are working to make the vision of the Merrymeeting Trail a reality:
- Residents & Staff of Gardiner, Richmond, Bowdoinham, and Topsham
- Midcoast Council of Governments
- National Park Service
- Maine Department of Transportation
- Maine State Planning Office
- Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
- Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust
- Kennebec River Network
- Maine Coastal Program
- East Coast Greenway Alliance
- Friends of Kennebec River Rail Trail
- Bicycle Coalition of Maine
- Merrymeeting Wheelers
- Topsham Trail Riders
- ACCESS Health
- Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
- Cathance River Education Alliance
- Merrymeeting Arts Center
- Center of Ecological & Cultural Living Arts
MERRYMEETING