America's Byways® Press Room
October 9, 2009 - Federal Highway Administration Awards Nearly $41 Million for Scenic Byways

FHWA 29-09
Friday, October 9, 2009
Contact: Doug Hecox
Phone: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON – Communities in 43 states will receive $40.7 million for 160 projects to improve and promote highways designated as scenic byways, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez announced today.

“I join Secretary LaHood in his commitment to protecting and promoting roads that are American icons,” Administrator Mendez said. “We’re proud to help tell each road’s unique story.”

Projects funded by the grants include improving visitor access to Chalk Bluff along the Crowley Ridge Parkway in Arkansas, a visitor contact station at Denali along the George Parks Highway in Alaska, and construction of pedestrian and bicycling facilities along scenic byways in Oregon.

The grants are part of the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program, which recognizes and provides funding for roads designated either locally or nationally as having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational and archaeological qualities.

Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has awarded almost $388 million in funding for more than 2,832 state, tribal and nationally designated byway projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The strength of this program is the voluntary, grassroots support of local advocates in communities throughout the country who nominate and promote outstanding roads for this recognition.

State Project Name Amount Funded
Alabama AL: Coastal Connection Byway Wayshowing Program: Signage Plan $80,000
AL: Construction of Pullovers for Wayside Exhibits on Selma to Montgomery NHT/SB $201,600
Total for Alabama (2 Projects) $281,600
Alaska George Parks Highway Scenic Byway AK: Master Interpretive Plan $80,000
George Parks Byway AK: South Denali Visitor Contact Station $1,000,000
Total for Alaska (2 Projects) $1,080,000
Arizona Route 66 AZ: Assessment for Preservation of Historic Navajo County Courthouse and Museum $8,000
Route 66 AZ: Museum and Visitor Center (Kingman Powerhouse) $220,241
Red Rock Scenic Byway AZ: Interpretation - Phase 2 $320,000
Route 66 AZ: Marketing Plan $75,740
Navajo Nation Scenic Byways Interpretive Plan $123,225
Navajo Nation Scenic Byway Program Resource Protection Plan $258,600
Total for Arizona (6 Projects) $1,005,806
Arkansas Crowley Ridge Parkway AR: Chalk Bluff Visitor Access $622,174
Crowley's Ridge Parkway Trail AR: - Jonesboro Section $1,766,525
Total for Arkansas (2 Projects) $2,388,699
California Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway CA: Community Partnership CMP $40,820
Highway 395: Corridor Management Plan $196,000
Central Sierra Nevada Scenic Byways Geotourism MapGuide $205,000
Ebbetts Pass Interpretive Plan and Kiosk Facilities $122,000
Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat National Scenic Byway - Corridor Management Plan Revision and Extension $242,940
Establishing the Yurok Scenic Byways Program $144,833
Total for California (6 Projects) $951,593
Colorado Top of the Rockies CO: Update of Corridor and Interpretive Mangement Plans $100,000
Silver Thread Byway CO: Interpretive Sites $105,000
Gold Belt Byway CO: Resource Protection $70,000
San Juan Skyway CO: Resource Protection $125,000
West Elk Loop CO: Redstone Coke Ovens Restoration $113,100
Total for Colorado (5 Projects) $513,100
Delaware Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway DE: Corridor Management Plan $149,600
Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway DE: Carrying Capacity and Preservation Plan $120,000
Total for Delaware (2 Projects) $269,600
Florida Florida Scenic Highways Program - DVD Series, Themed Guides and GPS Itineraries $232,000
Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail - Wayfinding and Interpretation Assessment Plan $88,000
River of Lakes Heritage - Marketing Plan, Promotion, and Web Site Development $72,000
Florida Keys Scenic Highway Interpretive Panels Grant $45,000
Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway Master Plan $244,000
Total for Florida (5 Projects) $681,000
Hawaii Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor HI: Development of a Corridor Management Plan $29,140
Total for Hawaii (1 Project) $29,140
Idaho Idaho Statewide Byway Videos $81,200
Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway ID: Corridor Management Plan $49,600
Western Heritage Byway ID: Interpretive Plan Implementation $18,240
International Selkirk Loop ID: CMP Implementation - Idaho $88,672
Total for Idaho (4 Projects) $237,712
Illinois Ohio River Scenic Byway IL: Hospitality Training, Historic Site Research $49,568
Great River Road IL: Multimedia iPod Tours and Interactive Online Study Units for Young Byway Travelers $229,296
Great River Road IL: Piasa Creek Information Site Bridge $263,508
IL: National Road Interpretive Center in Vandalia $101,750
Historic Route 66 IL: Experience Hubs and Signage $395,600
Total for Illinois (5 Projects) $1,039,722
Indiana Ohio River Scenic Byway Interpretive Kiosks (Indiana) $50,000
Indiana's Historic Pathways Road Signs $20,000
Total for Indiana (2 Projects) $70,000
Iowa Iowa Byways Signage Program Implementation $580,000
Driftless Area Scenic Byway IA: Corridor Management Plan Development Project $175,600
River Bluffs Scenic Byway IA: Corridor Management Plan Development Project $188,800
Western Skies Scenic Byway IA: Development of Corridor Management Plan $188,800
Loess Hills IA: Corridor Management 2009 $23,720
Great River Road IA: Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center $760,007
Total for Iowa (6 Projects) $1,916,927
Kansas Digital Media, Website Development and Marketing for Kansas Scenic Byways $160,000
Flint Hills Scenic Byway KS: Pioneer Bluffs Prairie Information and Education Center Visitor Parking $76,000
Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway KS: Revealing the Road to the Byway Traveler Interpretive Project $160,000
Total for Kansas (3 Projects) $396,000
Kentucky Discover the Uncommon Wealth of Kentucky's Scenic Byways: Promotion and Interpretation to Enhance the Visitor Experience $337,000
Mary Ingles Scenic Highway KY: Development of a Corridor Management Plan $60,000
Lincoln Heritage Scenic Highway KY: Wayfinding and Interpretation Assessment and Plan $144,000
Total for Kentucky (3 Projects) $541,000
Louisiana Myths and Legends Byway LA: Interpretive Plan $322,169
North Louisiana Region Byways LA: Audio Video Tour Guide $365,948
Wetlands Cultural Trail LA: Interpretive Plan $31,360
Total for Louisiana (3 Projects) $719,477
Maine Schoodic Scenic Byway ME: Gordon's Pier Recreational Access $44,000
Fish River Byway ME: Corridor Management Plan Implementation $32,740
Seboomook Scenic Byway ME: Development of a Corridor Management Plan $31,500
Blackwoods Byway ME: Corridor Management Planning and Administration $25,000
Old Canada Road Scenic Byway ME: Forks Area Scenic Trail- Completion of 3 Year Project $225,874
Total for Maine (5 Projects) $359,114
Maryland Managing and Marketing Maryland Byways Strategic Priorities $5,569,600
Interpreting and Marketing Charles Street $60,800
MD: C&O Canal-Clara Barton Parkway/NHS & Glen Echo Park: Develop a Corridor Management Plan and Create Interpretive Materials $48,728
Historic Restoration at Clara Barton National Historic Site $57,744
Total for Maryland (4 Projects) $5,736,872
Massachusetts Mt. Greylock Scenic Byway MA: Summit Improvements at Bascom Lodge and War Memorial Tower $800,000
Route 116 Scenic Byway MA: Corridor Management Plan $198,235
Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway MA: Land Protection Project $748,800
Connecticut River Scenic Farm Byway MA: Franklin County Land Protection $416,000
Total for Massachusetts (4 Projects) $2,163,035
Michigan MI: Leelanau Scenic Heritage Route Trailway Project $800,000
MI: M-15 Recreational Heritage Route Trail Pathway Project $580,816
MI: Developing the Tahquamenon Story $179,800
MI: River Road Wayfinding and Interpretive Signs $80,550
Total for Michigan (4 Projects) $1,641,166
Minnesota North Shore Scenic Drive MN: Corridor Management Plan Update $26,400
Superior National Forest Scenic Byway MN: Corridor Management Plan Update $16,000
Grand Rounds MN: Mississippi Gorge - Parking/Overlook $150,000
Edge of the Wilderness Byway MN: Discovery Center: Interpretive and Recreational Facilities $140,000
Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway MN: US-Dakota War Mobile Broadband Tour $183,000
Total for Minnesota (5 Projects) $515,400
Mississippi Natchez Trace Parkway MS: Marketing - Visitor Informatoin Enhancement Plan $194,028
Great River Road MS: Woodville Hospitality Station Welcome Center $2,200,000
Natchez Trace Parkway MS: Ridgeland Visitor Center Modernization $100,000
Total for Mississippi (3 Projects) $2,494,028
Nebraska Nebraska: Marketing Materials $44,800
Thematic Podcasts NE $151,680
Total for Nebraska (2 Projects) $196,480
Nevada Valley of Fire State Park Roadways NV: Fire Canyon Overlook Improvements $720,000
Downtown Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway NV: Restoration of Two Historic Neon Signs $313,760
Total for Nevada (2 Projects) $1,033,760
New Hampshire General John Stark Scenic Byway NH: Marketing Materials $20,400
Connecticut River Byway NH: Interpretive Center and Historic Resource Protection (Phase II) $258,200
Connecticut River Byway NH: Mastlands, Cornish Art Colony Historic Preservation Project $135,600
Total for New Hampshire (3 Projects) $414,200
New Jersey Bayshore Heritage Byway NJ: Corridor Management Plan $228,125
Southern Pinelands Natural Heritage Trail NJ: Byway Startup Efforts $26,000
Delaware River Scenic Byway NJ: D&R Canal Access Plans $288,800
Delaware River Scenic Byway NJ: Restroom Design and Construction $233,800
Total for New Jersey (4 Projects) $776,725
New Mexico Signage for all of New Mexico's 26 byways $165,000
Exhibits and Interpretive Services for the Interpretive Center at Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site (NM) $100,000
Geronimo Trail NM: Outdoor Adventures Brochure $8,000
Billy the Kid Trail NM: Corridor Management Plan Implementation $28,000
Salt Missions Trail (NM): CMP & Organization Development $55,000
Total for New Mexico (5 Projects) $356,000
New York New York State Scenic Byways: Multi-Media State and National Scenic Byways Marketing Campaign $250,400
NY: Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway: Corridor Management Plan Advanced Implementation $14,400
NY: Adirondack North Country Scenic Byways: Accessibility Assessment and Public Awareness Guide $240,000
NY: Western New York Southtowns Scenic Byway: Signing and Interpretive Plan Development and Implementation $66,464
NY: Lakes to Locks Passage All American Road: Multi-Modal Interpretation Hudson Crossing Park and Byway Heritage Center $250,320
Total for New York (5 Projects) $821,584
North Carolina Mountain Waters Scenic Byway NC: Dry Falls Project $512,000
Nantahala Byway NC: Viewshed Protection on Wood Farm $1,098,500
Total for North Carolina (2 Projects) $1,610,500
North Dakota Native American Scenic Byway (ND): Sitting Bull Visitor Information Center $550,000
Sheyenne River Valley ND: Corridor Managment Plan $60,000
Total for North Dakota (2 Projects) $610,000
Ohio Ohio River Scenic Byway OH: Interpretive Kiosks (Ohio) $50,000
Historic National Road OH: Western Gateway $10,500
Total for Ohio (2 Projects) $60,500
Oklahoma OK: Wichita Mountains Geological Plaza Restrooms $44,056
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum Making History Modern: The Renovation of Exhibit Galleries $120,000
OK: Route 66 Banner Program $4,000
Cherokee Hills Byway OK: Comprehensive Master Plan, Interpretive Plan and Marketing Plan $100,000
Total for Oklahoma (4 Projects) $268,056
Oregon MT. Hood National Scenic Byway OR: CMP Implementation Phase 4 $17,280
OR: Visitor Orientation/Interpretation - Clackamas-Breitenbush Segment of West Cascades NSB $5,056
Off The Beaten Freeway OR: An Interactive Guide to Oregon's Scenic Byways $313,000
OR: Yaquina Bay Bridge Lighting Project $56,000
West Cascades Scenic Byway OR: Transportation and Byway Recreation Exhibits - Detroit Portal $11,600
Rogue-Umqua Scenic Byway OR: Susan Creek Byway Facilities Project $1,200,000
Pacific Coast Scenic Byway OR: Lincoln City Bike and Pedestrian Bridge $645,000
Total for Oregon (7 Projects) $2,247,936
South Carolina Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway SC: The Blue Wall Connection — Scenic Corridor Linkage Tract $197,518
Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway SC: Andrew Pickens Scenic Pull Out to view Table Rock $25,000
Total for South Carolina (2 Projects) $222,518
South Dakota Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway SD: Wrinkled Rock Climbing Area - Safety Improvements & Resource Protection (Phase 2) $129,600
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway SD: Resource Protection $536,000
Native American Scenic Byway SD : Interpreting Cultural Heritage $109,615
Native American Scenic Byway SD: Earthlodge Byway Facility Enhancement Project $31,446
Total for South Dakota (4 Projects) $806,661
Tennessee TN: TRTA Interpretative Information Project $152,000
TN: Mississippi River Corridor - Visitor Interpretive Information $80,320
TN: Sequatchie Valley Byway $80,000
TN: Timberland Park Visitor Improvements $199,960
TN: Cherohala Skyway Marketing Grant $24,000
Total for Tennessee (5 Projects) $536,280
Utah UT: Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway Signage Project $79,088
UT: Flaming Gorge - Uintas NSB: Wayshowing and Sign Enhancement Project $101,000
UT: Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway Nations of the Four Corners Project $164,000
UT: Zion Park Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan $60,000
UT: Scenic Byway 12 Interpretive Media Design and Publication $46,400
Total for Utah (5 Projects) $450,488
Vermont VT: Stone Valley Byway Intepretive Panels and Podcasts $91,492
VT Lake Champlain Byway: Visitor Information Publications $67,999
VT: Connecticut River Byway Windsor Waypoint Interpretive Functionality Project $26,360
VT: CT River National Scenic Byway - Mt Ascutney Scenic Protection (Fellows Estate) $140,960
Total for Vermont (4 Projects) $326,811
Virginia Visit Skyline Drive $250,352
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Visual and Graphic Identity $214,400
Total for Virginia (2 Projects) $464,752
Washington North Cascades Scenic Highway WA: Mazama Viewshed Protection, Phase 2 $324,210
Revisiting Washington: Scenic Byways Interactive Travel Planning Website $156,000
San Juan Islands Scenic Byway WA: Byway Branding and Wayshowing $33,190
Okanogan Scenic Byway WA: Nighthawk Trail Trailhead (Oroville) $107,500
White Pass Scenic Byway WA: Wayshowing $82,000
Highway 101 Scenic Pullout Phase IVa: Olympic Discovery Trail Western Segment Enhancements $106,993
Advancing Washington's Pacific Coast & Olympic Mountains Loop: Corridor Management Plan $170,520
Total for Washington (7 Projects) $980,413
West Virginia Rivers and Ridges Heritage Trail Corridor Management Plan $48,000
Elk River Scenic Byway WV: Corridor Management Plan $28,000
West Virginia Association of Scenic and Historic Byways: Training and Tourism Planning $104,923
Midland Trail WV: Implementation of Marketing Program (Phase Two) $251,529
Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike WV: Branding, Marketing and Traveler Itineraries $56,800
Total for West Virginia (5 Projects) $489,252
Wisconsin NSB Route Markers Installation - GRR WI $26,000
WI: You Are Traveling A National Scenic Byway - Wisconsin Great River Road $25,000
Promoting Agritourism on the Great River Road $44,500
Alma's Scenic Beauty and Wildlife Observation Deck $67,200
WI: Shady Maple Overlook $25,800
Total for Wisconsin (5 Projects) $188,500
Wyoming Snowy Range Scenic Byway WY: Projects Implementation $2,823,492
Total for Wyoming (1 Project) $2,823,492
Total (160 Projects) $40,715,899

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