SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Maine — Local crews started repairing Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor Monday after a portion of the scenic drive closed in March due to storm damage.
When the Maine Department of Transportation announced that it will restore the road in the spring, the town decided to temporarily fix the road to open it to two-way traffic sooner. Five contractors are donating their time and services to get the road reopened by next week.
"We're so excited. It really is moving fast," Southwest Harbor Select Board Chair Carolyn Ball said.
David Lloyd has lived in Southwest Harbor since 2000 and said it was "awesome" to see the road getting repaired. "It's one of the most beautiful places there is," he said.
Contractors are completing an estimated more than $100,000 of repairs to get the road back open, helping the businesses that have been struggling and the residents, like Lloyd, who rely on the road.
"The fact that the town, especially these five businesses have coalesced and of their own spirit and financial give, they’re doing it. And they’re doing in a week what the state hasn’t been able to do," Lloyd said.
The community is showing up to support their work.
Dozens of local restaurants and organizations are donating food and goods throughout the week to thank the road workers.
"They're gonna make sure they're fed in the morning, they're fed at lunchtime, by all sorts of different businesses," Ball said. All leftovers will be donated to the Common Good Soup Kitchen.
"Everybody says how rough things can get, but it gives you a little bit of hope that there is still humanity out there," Marilyn Lowell, Southwest Harbor town manager, said.
The Seawall Road reopening will have a positive impact on the businesses in the area that have been impacted by the closure.
"That’s definitely gonna make a big difference," Charlotte Gill, a local business owner, said.
Gill, the owner of the Seawall Motel and Charlotte's Legendary Lobster Pound is delivering food to the crews working this week. Business at her restaurant has been down since the road closure, but soon, they'll be able to get more traffic for the rest of the summer thanks to the community's support.
"It's the island at its best, its people at their best, and it’s a wonderful thing to see," Gill said.
Construction is expected to wrap up on Friday and the road will be open to vehicles shortly after that. MaineDOT will begin making long-term repairs this spring.