The National Scenic Byways Program
In my travels across the United States, I have found that some of the most memorable scenery was not necessarily inside a national park or a national forest, but actually along a particular route or highway. Sure you can save some time by driving on interstate highways, but believe me, you'll be missing some of the best scenery in the country. Some roads stand out for their unique scenery, others for the historic or cultural experience they embrace. When I think of special driving experiences, one of the first places that comes to mind is the spectacular drive along Trail Ridge Road in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. Truly one of best alpine highways anywhere in the world, the road winds its way up to 12,183 feet as it traverses the park. Only slightly less memorable is the San Juan Skyway in southern Colorado, a loop road that links the towns of Ridgway, Durango, and Cortez. Other great drives include that really stick out in my mind include the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Enchanted Circle in northern New Mexico, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road which bisects Glacier National Park in Montana.
Many of our nation's finest roads are identified through the National Scenic Byways Program. The program is intended to recognize highways that are outstanding examples of scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archeological, and/or natural qualities by designating them as either National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads.
|
courtesy of National Park Service |
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) established the national scenic byways program, but it wasn't until May of 1995 that the Federal Highway Administration published an interim policy in the Federal Register initiating the program. In 1996, Transportation Secretary Federico Peña chose a panel of travel, tourism and historic preservation experts to select the first National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads from nominations submitted by local communities, states and federal land agencies. In the Fall of that year, Peña announced 6 All-American Roads and 14 National Scenic Byways. Among those named All-American Roads included the North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Selma to Montgomery March Byway in Alabama, the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the San Juan Skyway and Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road in Colorado, and the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. A second round of designations took place in 1998, when U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater announced that 33 roads in 19 states would be added to the list of 20 roads already recognized. In the year 2000, 24 National Scenic Byways were added to the list, as well as six new All-American Roads, including the neon-saturated Las Vegas Strip. According to Slater, "The National Scenic Byways Program enables Americans to fully enjoy the roads that are important to us culturally, historically and esthetically." This program will continue under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century which was signed by President Clinton.
|
courtesy of National Park Service |
The National Scenic Byways designation is awarded to routes that show the regional characteristics of the nation's culture, history and landscape. All-American Roads represent the best of all scenic byways and provide visitors with a unique driving experience, and to qualify, these routes must have features found nowhere else in the nation. In fact, they are considered tourist attractions in their own right. To be considered for either national status, a route has to meet specific state guidelines, and then be recommended by local residents, businesses and agencies interested in preserving and enhancing the roads, diversifying local economies, and promoting tourism. If a route is designated, it not only gains an expected boost in tourism, but it also becomes eligible for federal funds for improvements such as interpretive centers, overlooks, and rest areas.
Today, the full list
of routes includes 126 All-American Roads and National Scenic Byways in 39
states. The National Scenic Byways Program
web site maintains a slideshow,
where you may preview the outstanding features of our nation's
scenic byways. If you'd like to obtain a US map that identifies the All-American
roads and the national scenic byways, contact the National Scenic Byways Program
at 800-4-BYWAYS or visit their web site.