Parking tips for QM2-visit spectators

BAR HARBOR – If you’re worried about a traffic jam when the Queen Mary 2 makes its inaugural visit to Maine on Monday, the Chamber of Commerce has good news for you.

Relax.

The Chamber has made arrangements to use the so-called MacQuinn field off Route 3 in Hulls Cove for satellite parking. At least 300 spaces will be available there, along with 200 more spaces at the Regency Hotel on Eden Street.

The fare-free Island Explorer bus system will add a bus run Monday, picking up passengers at the MacQuinn field and at the Regency, then driving them to the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor. The bus will run every half-hour through the evening.

The regular Island Explorer campground bus run in that area of town also will stop at the field, on an as-needed basis, throughout the day. It also runs every half-hour.

Although some parking spaces will be lost in town, far more will be made available at the two special sites, Costas Christ, chamber of commerce executive director, said Tuesday.

Signs will be posted and volunteers will direct cars into the MacQuinn property, located before the road dips into Hulls Cove village.

All parking spots in the downtown will be free for the day.

Visitors who leave their cars either at the Regency or at the Hulls Cove field can take a bus back to those sites.

Meanwhile, three areas of town will be off-limits to vehicles:

. The town pier will be blocked to traffic to give sightseers a great view of the QM2, which will anchor about 1,200 yards from the pier.

Other especially good places for a clear view of the ship include the Shore Path that runs from the town pier to Wayman Lane. The area includes Grant’s Park and the Albert Meadow parking lot.

The QM2 will be just 600 yards from the upper Shore Path, making it a sure-fire favorite area for sightseers.

Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is also expected to be a popular place for people who want to get the big picture of the harbor.

. In a first-ever decision, the Town Council has agreed to allow the chamber to close off Cottage Street, from Main Street to Rodick Street, for a pedestrian-only area for the day. An antique cars exhibit will be located near the pedestrian mall, and music will be provided all day at the site.

. Two-way traffic will be allowed all along Main Street, but the parking spaces on both sides of the road, from Newport Drive to West Street, will be roped off to double the size of the sidewalks leading down to the pier.