Monday, April 21, 2003
FHWA 10-03
Contact: Bill Outlaw
Telephone: 202-366-0660
U.S.
Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $24
Million in Scenic Byways Grants for 42 States
U.S.
Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that 206 projects in
42 states will share $24 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) scenic
byways grants. This funding will help recognize, preserve and enhance selected
scenic roads and highways throughout the United States.
“The
Bush Administration is committed to good stewardship of America’s resources,
and this funding will help protect and enhance roads representing our heritage,”
Secretary Mineta said. “They connect us to our country’s beauty,
history and culture. They are the way to the heart and soul of America.”
The
funding is intended to help achieve the vision of the byways program by funding
projects that engage volunteers to preserve and enhance these byways;
demonstrate environmentally sensitive solutions to problems in preserving these
byways; and enable people to walk and bike in natural settings.
The vision for the National Scenic Byways Program is “to create a
distinctive collection of American Roads, their stories and special places.”
“There's
been a misrepresentation that you're either a good environmental steward or you
build transportation projects,”
FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters said. “The scenic byways program
demonstrates how we can make needed transportation improvement while preserving
and enhancing our scenic vistas and important landscapes.”
National
scenic byways discretionary funds enable states to undertake eligible projects
along highways designated as All-American Roads, National Scenic Byways and
state-designated byways. Eligible under the program are planning projects to
inventory, preserve and enhance the qualities of byways; safety improvements;
construction of bike and pedestrian facilities; development of visitor
information such as brochures and interpretive facilities and scenic overlooks;
and resource protection such as scenic easements and byway marketing. These
efforts serve as tools to boost local economies through tourism
and create a sense of pride.
Besides
generating a sense of pride and enthusiasm for those involved, these projects
are intended to help carry on a legacy of stewardship. Since 1992, the National
Scenic Byways Program has provided $202 million for 1,488 projects in 48 states,
Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
Additional
information, brochures and maps can be obtained by calling 1-800-4-BYWAYS
(1-800-429-9297) or by going to the national scenic byways program web site, www.byways.org.
A table listing the scenic byways grants, in some cases pending application approval by FHWA, for fiscal year 2003 is on the Internet at http://www.byways.org/grants/approved_2003.html.