CAMDEN-ROCKPORT — A joint effort by Camden and Rockport to design and build a sidewalk alongside Route 1 near Hannaford is moving forward with a $133,600 federal grant. Camden Economic Development Director Brian Hodges told the Camden Select Board Tuesday evening, June 18.

The sidewalk is to stretch from Quarry Hill Road, in Camden, and continue along Route 1 to Leonard's Clothing Store at 56 Commercial St. (Route 1). The project will include crossing improvements to the entrance of the Hannaford Shopping Plaza. The stretch of sidewalk will comprise 970 linear feet in Camden and 980 linear feet in Rockport. To read complete details of the plan, see the attached PDF above.

"We see folks dragging their luggage along Route 1, and it's not very safe or inviting," said Hodges.

Travelers riding the Concord Coach Line buses often walk alongside the busy highway from downtown Camden, or Rockport, to Maritime Farms in Rockport, where the bus stops.

Entities endorsing the grant application included Hannaford, Maine Media Workshops, Camden Hospital for Animals, Pen Bay Health Care, and Concord Coach Lines.

Hodges said in a news release that he initiated discussions with Tom Ford, who recently retired as Rockport's Community Development Director, when the grant opportunity was first announced.

"When I arrived in Camden two years ago, I often observed passengers of the scheduled bus service needing to walk along Route 1 while pulling their suitcases," he said, in the release. "Not only did this create a safety hazard, it didn't send a positive message from either community. However, the idea of a sidewalk along this area of Route 1 is not a new concept. The project is listed in each Town's Comprehensive Plan as well as the Camden Rockport Pathway Committee's Master Plan."

The grant requires a local match of 20 percent, totaling $33,407, which had been approved by Camden's and Rockport's select boards when the grant application was submitted last August.

The Maine Department of Transportation oversees the Quality Community Program supporting the federal Transportation Enhancement funding. Typical types of projects funded under this program include sidewalks, crossing improvements, off-road connections and downtown improvements, said Hodges. The goal of this program is to improve transportation, improve safety, and promote economic development.

Rockport Select Board members William Chapman and Ken McKinley attended the Camden Select Board meeting to acknowledge success of the grant. Helen Shaw, a member of the Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee was also in attendance. (For the record, this reporter is member of the Pathways Committee and was on the 2004 Rockport Comprehensive Plan Committee).

"We Look forward to working with you on the grant," said Cates, to Rick Bates, the newly hired Rockport Town Manager.

Implementation of the grant, however, may be delayed until 2016, give the federal sequester. Unless Congressional allocation or decisions by state government may speed up the funding process, said Hodges.

"This is very positive for our combined communities," said Camden Select Board Chairman Martin Cates.

"Actually I thought you folks were going to pick up the full 20 percent," said Chapman.

"What did he say?" said Cates.

I think he said the check will be here for the full amount tomorrow," said Camden Select Board member John French.

"This has been done masterfully and I give Brian 100 percent kudos for leading the process," said Camden Town Manager Patricia Finnigan. "It is a large amount of money to be brought into the community and region."

Next steps will entail circulating a request for proposals for engineering and design. That schedule will be determined by the funding, and when the grant money arrives.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 706-6657.