town along the scenic Maine seacoast
drive. For decades the poultry industry
supported the local economy, employing
over 1000 people at its peak. While the
annual "Broiler Festival" was popular,
the industry was unkind to both the
environment and tourism in general.
thru Belfast creating congestion com-
mon in many Rte. 1 towns & cities. In
1962 Route 1, which had come straight
through downtown via High Street, was
rerouted around the city and across the
new Veteran's Memorial Bridge. As a
result, national franchises began show-
ing up near the Rte 1 & 3 intersection to
take advantage of the new traffic flow.
Lodging was historically east of Belfast
and in 1996 the Comfort Inn was built
on Rte. 1 featuring the great views on
the east side of Belfast.
tourism, the creative challenge was
getting the traffic to stop.
trolled-access road between I-95 on the
west side and US 202 east of the city,
built to alleviate congestion in down-
town Augusta, opened to traffic in 2004
and immediately became part of Route
3. Prior to the bypass, travelers toward
downeast headed to Bangor. With the
new bypass, Dept. Of Transportation
signage directs travelers heading for
Acadia National Park & Mid-Coast-
Area, Bar Harbor, Maine Maritime
Academy & Penobscot Bay Region,
Penobscot Narrows Observatory & Fort
Knox State Historic Site to travel via
"Rte 3 Belfast." According to Mark Latti
at DOT, "A monthly average of 19,750
vehicles cross The Veteran's Memorial
Bridge in Belfast."
era, the route is even recommended by
Google MAPS for travelers from Portland
to Acadia directly along Rte 3 via Belfast.
provides travel services to the tourists
driving on Rte. 1 and works closely with
local chambers to educate our guests
about the entire Maine Coast. Belfast is
a gateway to the Midcoast.
greet you JuSt A Short trIp
AcroSS the brIdge
(footbridge) provides easy access to
East Belfast