04/29/2026
PORR reluctantly has to post that the Penobscot River bridge crossing to Lincoln is closed to ALL ATV traffic for 2026 season.
We were notified mid March , by DOT, that the Route 2, Penobscot Valley Ave crossing would also be discontinued this year, and we made contingency plans.
Shortly thereafter we were told that no ATV traffic could utilize the Access Rd shoulder, due to vehicle count and speed limit.
Next we were told, and a letter was sent to our Lincoln Town Manager that we could utilize the State Right of way across the fronts of all businesses on the Access Rd. Much to the chagrin of ALL the business folks.
Today’s FINAL meeting, the engineer discussed with us, and a business owner how we would be traveling across their business frontage.
After wasting time on that, we were told the bridge to Gardner access trail was 1, 800 feet, counting the bridge, and that trail could no longer be used.
These negotiations have taken place on nearly a daily basis, with 2 of them being on site meetings with state engineers, and one meeting with the State ATV representative.
Countless hours have been wasted on negotiations that could have been wrapped up in 15 minutes by simply saying the bridge is no longer an option.
Recap……PORR has successfully, and safety utilized this route..We were approved for 2600’ of access by DOT in 2013. The importance of this trail is that it ties clubs to the West & South, with eastern Maine.
The commerce the ATV community brings to Lincoln during the season will be sorely felt by Lincoln merchants.
Our club trails are being cut in half, with having to trailer to access our system now.
Please understand, we are only the messenger on this and all avenues have been exhausted.
We would encourage all our business sponsors, members, and Town merchants to contact their State Representatives, and seek COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS, to a simple problem.
This is the State DOT, no other agency is responsible for this loss to Our Club and Our Community.
PORR
