The Power of Our Trail

The Sunrise Trail Coalition’s work is not limited to maintaining the Downest Sunrise Trail. We collectivize and organize with local organizations, volunteers, and clubs to advocate for trail users across the state.

OUR POLICY WORK

LD:956- Extending The Sunrise Trail To Calais

The Calais Branch Corridor

The Calais Branch Corridor is a 12.26 mile MaineDOT-ownded deactivated rail line. The line runs from the intersection of the Down East Sunrise Trail (DEST) and Ayers Junction Rd. to just before Calais at Rt. 1. If established as a trail, it would serve as the final extension of the DEST and bring the now-87-mile trail to Calais.

LD:956 Directs the Department of Transportation to create a 12.26-mile multi-use trail along the inactive Calais Branch rail line, stretching from Route 214/Ayers Junction to Route 1 in Calais.

After years of planning, dreaming, and a successful Rail Use Advisory Council, wrapped up in late 2024 with a nearly unanimous recommendation for Interim Trail.

Benefits:

By allowing an interim trail along the Calais Branch Corridor, over 12 miles of new multi-use trail will be created allowing the Down East Sunrise Trail and East Coast Greenway users to reach the Calais border safely and comfortably.
Increasing connectivity to the Canadaian trails and recreational tourists.

As part of the final report prepared for the Calais Branch Rail Use Advisory Council, an economic analysis prepared by RKG Associates (Page 12 – Calais Branch Rail Corridor Study: estimated that annual spending for out of area users on this new section of trail would fall between $980K and $1.47 million.

The Power of Our Trail

OUR POLICY WORK

LD:956- Extending The Sunrise Trail To Calais

The Calais Branch Corridor

Benefits:

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