Deer Isle Stonington Causeway - FAQs

Q) What is included in this study?

A) This study is looking at improvements to the causeways connecting the Deer Isle Stonington Bridge to Little Deer Isle and Little Deer Isle to Deer Isle.

Q) Why is the Deer Isle Stonington Bridge not included in this study?

A) The causeways which are the focus of this study have been impacted by several weather events in recent years impacting safety and travel reliability. The causeways are an immediate concern. MaineDOT regular inspects the Deer Isle Stonington Bridge and has made tens of millions in improvements in the past couple of decades. Any major capital effort associated with the bridge would be a distinct and separate planning and project development effort.

Q) What is the goal of the study?

A) The study will look at viable alternatives to improve the causeways including but not necessarily limited to raising the causeways, widening them and increasing the frequency of maintenance. This study will also consider efforts underway evaluating the pros, cons and feasibility of providing an opening such as a bridge on the causeway between Little Deer Isle and Deer Isle.

Q) Why can’t you just throw more rip-rap down and re-pave it?

A) This study will consider reasonable transportation alternatives that meet the project’s purpose & need. However, the goal for causeway improvements is to consider safety and reliability associated with sea level changes and extreme weather events. This is also intended to be a long-term fully engineered technical solution.

Q) How is this project funded now and in the future?

A) This project is currently funded for a feasibility study only. Once MaineDOT identifies an alternative for implementation, the recommendation will be considered for engineering or design funding in a future Work Plan and construction funding in a subsequent Work Plan. Improvements such as reconstruction of complicated infrastructure such as the causeway with anticipated work window limitations, need for traffic control, etc., will often take several years to design and several construction seasons. Improvement costs could also exceed $10 million. Given factors such as annual construction cost inflation and other transportation needs statewide, MaineDOT funds projects like the Deer Isle Stonington Causeway Project in phases so that once money is allocated it can be put into the economy and improve transportation quickly.

Q) Is this project to improve fish passage and other environmental concerns?

A) MaineDOT is the state transportation agency responsible for establishing and maintaining a safe and reliable connection between Stonington, Deer Isle, Little Deer Isle and the mainland. Ensuring this connection is the focus of this study. However, MaineDOT is and will continue to work with parties interested in understanding the pros, cons and viability of a connection between the Penobscot and Eggemoggin Reach sides of the Stonington Causeway if feasible and practical.

Q) How do I comment on this project?

A) Contact MaineDOT’s Project Management Team Jared Farn-Guillette or Martin Rooney.