Federal
Highway Administration 17-03
Contact: Bill Outlaw, 202-366-0660
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Eight States Win Awards for Scenic Byways Projects
The U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and two of its partners
at the National Scenic Byways Conference in Albuquerque, NM recognized projects
in eight states with national awards for their contributions to enhancing,
preserving and promoting America’s byways.
The award-winning projects are in
Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon
and Washington. The projects
selected ranged from an interim development ordinance to protect environmentally
sensitive lands along the A1A corridor in Florida to restoration of a
mountainside to preserve a scenic view along the
Mountains to the Sound Greenway in Washington state.
The
national competition, entitled "The Road Beckons: Best Practices for
Byways," was sponsored by FHWA, the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials, and the America's Byways Resource Center.
Thirty-seven projects from 21 states competed for the award.
The National Scenic Byways Program was established
under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, and
reauthorized in 1998 under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21). Last
week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta unveiled the Bush
Administration’s six-year, $247-billion surface transportation reauthorization
legislation, called SAFETEA (Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act), under
which the scenic byways program would continue to be funded.
“Continued
funding for the National Scenic Byways program in the Administration’s surface
transportation reauthorization proposal will enable even more people to connect with this country's beauty, history and
culture,” FHWA Administrator Mary
E. Peters said. “The scenic byways
program supports transportation improvements while preserving and enhancing our
scenic vistas and important landscapes.”
"The winning projects
generate a sense of pride and enthusiasm for those involved and provide terrific
destinations for byways visitors," John Horsley, AASHTO Executive Director,
said. "Scenic byways are a key component in national tourism, and by
getting out and exploring America, we help build a stronger economy."
“Behind each award is a group of dedicated
people,” said Henry Hanka, Director, America’s Byways Resource Center.
“The volunteers and local communities use Best Practices recognition as
a springboard to leverage even greater successes.
Through these projects, byways are realizing their hopes and dreams.”
A publication highlighting the
winners can be obtained by contacting the America’s Byways Resource Center at
1-800-429-9297 or online at the National Scenic Byways Program web site,
.
Under the current program, the
U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic
Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic,
natural, recreational, and scenic qualities.
To date the program has provided $202 million for 1,488 projects
throughout the country.
The winning projects are:
FLORIDA
Protection of a Scenic Byway by an Interim Development Ordinance
(A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway)
Increasing growth pressures being exerted on an eastern,
unincorporated barrier island in Flagler County accelerated the need to protect
environmentally sensitive lands and vistas along the A1A corridor.
To protect both the character and the abundant natural resources of the
region, residents, local businesses, developers and the county joined forces to
draft an Interim Development Ordinance (IDO) to expand on and refine protections
already in place. Completed in just
seven months, the IDO establishes additional setbacks from the road to protect
scenic vistas, rewards innovation in site design, limits the size of commercial
projects to preserve open space, limits signage and enhances landscape
requirements to include native landscaping and tree protection.
LOUISIANA
Creole Nature
Trail Marketing Initiative
(Creole Nature Trail)
Traversing a region
affectionately known as “Louisiana’s Outback,” the Creole Nature Trail
hugs the land and serves as the primary residential and commercial route along
the Gulf Coast, according to project sponsors.
Though traveled by many, it remained one of Louisiana’s best-kept
secrets until a comprehensive marketing plan was launched to highlight the
Trail’s significance as a primary destination.
Part of the larger planning initiative, the effort was executed to
coincide with projects being implemented along the byway.
Visitors from all over the world now come to experience the region.
The multi-year initiative positioned the area as a primary destination
and spurred economic development in the region.
MISSOURI
Industry and Environment:
Finding Compatibility
Holcim Cement Interpretive Facility/Clarksville Refuge
(Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road)
Once the edge of a vast untamed wilderness, the Mississippi River has played an important role in the history of the nation’s commerce. Recognizing the importance of chronicling the tale, byway supporters identified interpretation of this relationship as an important priority. Enthusiasm for the project has resulted in a public-private partnership to construct an interpretive center and provide access to a wildlife refuge adjacent to the byway, according to sponsors of the project. Holcim, Inc., one of world’s largest cement manufacturers, has joined the byway community to educate residents and visitors on the relationship of the river and its resources to the region.
NEW
HAMPSHIRE
Implementation of the Kancamagus Interpretive and Facilities
Plan
(Kancamagus Scenic Byway)
Recognizing the opportunities inherent in national
scenic byway designation, the USDA Forest Service and a group of committed
public and private partners joined forces to identify ways to enhance the
visitor experience and promote stewardship of the region’s natural resources.
Thanks to a lot of hard work and creative thinking, initial funding for
two overlook sites has been parlayed into the development and implementation of
an interpretive and facilities plan for the byway.
Implementation of priority projects is well underway with $4.1 million
invested to date.
NEW MEXICO
Cultural
Corridors: Public Art on Scenic
Highways
(Historic Route
66 and El Camino Real)
To celebrate travel along these
fabled routes and the communities that link them, a cultural mapping project has
resulted in the installation of a series of public artworks to underscore the
value of both transportation and art to the economic and cultural life of New
Mexico, according to sponsors of the project. Designed as roadside attractions, the sculptures captivate
the attention of residents and visitors as they travel the historic roadways and
think about those that have made the journey before them. Total funding:
$1.2 million to install 12 noteworthy public artworks along the two
byways.
NORTH DAKOTA
Hidden Treasures of the Great Plains
(Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway)
Occupied for over 11,000 years, the Sheyenne River
Valley enjoys a diverse cultural history, according to project sponsors.
From prehistoric times to the present, the Valley’s abundant natural
resources have sustained its inhabitants. A
predominantly agricultural landscape, the region is dotted with small rural
communities. When changes in the
farming industry threatened to undermine the economic vitality of the region,
residents once again turned to the richness of their resources to sustain them,
according to sponsors of the project. What
began as a small project to increase tourism and tell the story of the Valley
has expanded into a $1.5 million project that includes 41 interpretive sites, 10
map panel locations and a visitor’s center.
OREGON
Implementation of the Byway Development Plan
(Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway)
FHWA Federal Lands Division, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (Roseburg District) and the Oregon Department of Transportation drafted a development plan to enhance visitor access while protecting the resources of the area, according to the sponsors of the project. Over time, this partnership has grown to include a variety of public and private interests who have contributed to the vision of how the area should be developed. To date, over $22 million has been invested.
WASHINGTON
The Re-greening of Zorro Mountain: Erasing the Scars
(The Mountains to Sound Greenway – I-90)
Less than 10 years ago, standing
on the steep slopes of a 4,500-foot mountain located just east of North Bend
afforded a breathtaking view the Snoqualmie Valley, according to sponsors of the
project. From below, however,
the mountain presented a different face. Abandoned
logging roads marred the face of the peak.
Highly visible from the interstate below, these scars detracted from the
landscape, and the instability of the site presented hazards to the communities
below. Inspired to restore the
natural features of the peak, for two summers volunteers followed heavy
machinery to pull up the roads; laid biosolids compost, hay, and grass seed; and
planted trees as part of a creative Re-greening Partnership led by the Mountains
to Sound Greenway Trust. The scars
have slowly begun to fade and new growth has taken hold.
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