ELLSWORTH – City officials and police are preparing for some possible confusion when traffic patterns are changed on Route 3 in Ellsworth.

Starting 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, Route 3 from McDonald’s to Myrick Street will become a one-way southbound lane. Northbound motorists coming from Mount Desert Island will turn right onto Myrick Street and left onto Route 1 to continue their travels.

Construction goals aim to create more traffic mobility as businesses such as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s are built in the Acadia Crossing and Beckwith Hill area.

“We’ve definitely had some mobility problems as far as traffic being backed up in that area already,” said City Manager Michelle Beal. “We expect even more with new business coming in.”

The new traffic patterns will help prevent heavy traffic, especially during the tourist season, according to Beal.

“If people need to make a left turn [on Route 3] they won’t have to wait for oncoming traffic to stop,” she said.

Myrick Street will have two left-urn lanes to get on Route 1 for motorists traveling northbound.

Ellsworth Police and Fire departments will be in the area Sept. 3 to help with the transition.

“It will be organized chaos for the first day or so,” said Beal. “The road as it stands now cannot handle the amount of traffic it receives.”

Ellsworth Police Chief John Deleo expects some confusion as residents and tourists navigate the new traffic routes.

“It could be interesting,” he said. “I am sure we will have people trying to go the wrong way, but we’ll catch them before they get too far.”

Deleo plans on having officers working extended hours and will add extra officers to each shift.

“We will have them in the area just to catch people before they go into a one-way area and make sure nothing happens,” he said. “We will see how it goes on [Sept. 3], and if we need to have more officers around as the week progresses we will.”

The city has alerted local media outlets of the change and will be setting up electronic signs next week warning motorists.

“We will also have barrels up preventing people from going the wrong way,” said Beal.

The $3.4 million project is being funded mostly from development fees from businesses.

According to Beal, Wal-Mart paid $319,000 and Lowe’s paid $175,000 in development fees to the city.

“We’re hoping that city taxpayers won’t pay anything for the project,” said Beal.

The state is also kicking in $600,00 for the project.

Construction crews will be working nights starting Monday, Aug. 18.

The project is slated to be finished on Oct. 31, but Beal said a significant portion should be completed by Oct. 15.

mdabrieo@bangordailynews.net

664-0524