National Scenic Byway

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National Scenic Byways Program
Marker used for National Scenic Byways

All-American Roads highlighted with red dots, National Scenic Byways with blue dots
System information
Formed: 1991 (1991)[1]
Highway names
Interstates: Interstate nn (I-nn)
US Routes: U.S. Highway nn, U.S. Route nn (US nn)
State: Varies by state
System links
  • Scenic Byways
A sign indicating the National Scenic Byway designation for the Creole Nature Trail

A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one of the six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The most scenic byways are designated All-American Roads, which must meet two out of the six intrinsic qualities. The designation means they have features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. As of November 2010, there are 120 National Scenic Byways and 31 All-American Roads, located in 46 states (all except Hawaii, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Texas).[2]

History

The NSBP was established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which provided $74.3 million in discretionary grants. On May 18, 1995, FHWA specified the intrinsic qualities that would serve as criteria for designating road as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads. In September U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Peña announced the first 14 National Scenic Byways and six All-American Roads. On June 9, 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) provided $148 million to states so they could develop state roads to take advantage of the program.

On August 10, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which provided $175 million to states and Indian tribes. Most recently, on October 16, 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood designated 37 new roads as National Scenic Byways and five new All-American Roads.[3]

Requirements

National Scenic Byways must go through a nomination procedure, and must already be designated as a state scenic byway in order to be nominated (However, roads that meet all criteria and requirements for national designation but not state or designation criteria may be considered for national designation on a case-by-case basis).[4]

Intrinsic qualities

To be considered for designation as a National Scenic Byway a road must "significantly meet at least one of the six scenic byways intrinsic qualities". To be designated as an All-American Road, a road must have met at least two of the six qualities.[4]

  • Scenic quality is the heightened visual experience derived from the view of natural and manmade elements of the visual environment of the scenic byway corridor. The characteristics of the landscape are strikingly distinct and offer a pleasing and most memorable visual experience.
  • Natural quality applies to those features in the visual environment that are in a relatively undisturbed state. These features predate the arrival of human populations and may include geological formations, fossils, landform, water bodies, vegetation, and wildlife. There may be evidence of human activity, but the natural features reveal minimal disturbances.
  • Historic quality encompasses legacies of the past that are distinctly associated with physical elements of the landscape, whether natural or manmade, that are of such historic significance that they educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past. The historic elements reflect the actions of people and may include buildings, settlement patterns, and other examples of human activity.
  • Cultural quality is evidence and expressions of the customs or traditions of a distinct group of people. Cultural features include, but are not limited to, crafts, music, dance, rituals, festivals, speech, food, special events, or vernacular architecture.
  • Archeological quality involves those characteristics of the scenic byways corridor that are physical evidence of historic or prehistoric human life or activity. The scenic byway corridor's archeological interest, as identified through ruins, artifacts, structural remains, and other physical evidence have scientific significance that educate the viewer and stir an appreciation for the past.
  • Recreational quality involves outdoor recreational activities directly association with and dependent upon the natural and cultural elements of the corridor's landscape. The recreational activities provide opportunities for active and passive recreational experiences. They include, but are not limited to, downhill skiing, rafting, boating, fishing, and hiking. Driving the road itself may qualify as a pleasurable recreational experience. The recreational activities may be seasonal, but the quality and importance of the recreational activities as seasonal operations must be well recognized.

Corridor management plans

A corridor management plan must also be developed, with community involvement, and the plan "should provide for the conservation and enhancement of the byway's intrinsic qualities as well as the promotion of tourism and economic development". The plan includes, but is not limited to:

  • A map identifying the corridor boundaries and the location of intrinsic qualities and different land uses within the corridor.
  • A strategy for maintaining and enhancing those intrinsic qualities.
  • A strategy describing how existing development might be enhanced and new development might be accommodated while still preserving the intrinsic qualities of the corridor.
  • A general review of the road's or highway's safety and accident record to identify any correctable faults in highway design, maintenance, or operations.
  • A signage plan that demonstrates how the State will insure and make the number and placement of signs more supportive of the visitor experience.
  • A narrative describing how the National Scenic Byway will be positioned for marketing.[4]

Corridor management plans for All-American Roads must also include:[4]

  • A narrative on how the All-American Road would be promoted, interpreted, and marketed in order to attract travelers, especially those from other countries.
  • A plan to encourage the accommodation of increased tourism, if this is projected. Some demonstration that the roadway, lodging and dining facilities, roadside rest areas, and other tourist necessities will be adequate for the number of visitors induced by the byway's designation as an All-American Road.
  • A plan for addressing multi-lingual information needs.

The final step is when the highway (or highways) is approved for designation by the United States Secretary of Transportation.[4]

List of byways

Type Name Image States Description Designated
NSB A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway Florida Follows Atlantic coast barrier islands June 13, 2002
AAR Acadia Byway Maine Scenic drive past mountains on the Maine shore June 15, 2000 (AAR)
NSB Alabama’s Coastal Connection Alabama Scenic drive along the Gulf coast October 16, 2009
AAR Alaska's Marine Highway Alaska Ferry system connecting Alaskan coastal communities June 13, 2002 (NSB)
September 22, 2005 (AAR)
NSB Amish Country Ohio Historic drive through eastern Ohio's Amish communities June 13, 2002
NSB Arroyo Seco Parkway Scenic Byway California The first freeway in the Western U.S., connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena through the Arroyo Seco June 13, 2002
NSB Ashley River Road South Carolina Traverses a historic district along the Ashley River June 15, 2000
NSB Baltimore's Historic Charles Street Maryland Runs along Charles Street, the main street of Baltimore October 16, 2009
AAR Beartooth Scenic Byway Montana, Wyoming Scenic northeastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park June 15, 2000 (AAR)
June 13, 2002 (extended in Montana)
NSB Billy the Kid Trail New Mexico Scenic drive through rugged mountains June 9, 1998
AAR Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina, Virginia Scenic drive through the Blue Ridge Mountains September 19, 1996 (AAR, North Carolina)
September 22, 2005 (AAR, Virginia)
NSB Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway Delaware Historic rolling hills of northern Delaware September 22, 2005
NSB Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway Oregon Connects lakes and forests of central Oregon June 9, 1998
NSB Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway Maryland Scenic and historic drive through the Catoctin Mountains September 22, 2005
NSB Cherohala Skyway North Carolina, Tennessee Ridgetop drive in the Appalachians September 19, 1996 (Tennessee)
June 9, 1998 (North Carolina)
NSB Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway South Carolina Scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Escarpment June 9, 1998
NSB Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway Maryland Traverses the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay June 13, 2002
AAR Chinook Scenic Byway Washington Scenic drive with views of Mount Rainier June 9, 1998 (AAR)
NSB Coal Heritage Trail West Virginia Historic drive through coal-producing areas of southwestern West Virginia June 9, 1998
AAR Colonial Parkway Virginia Landscaped parkway through historic areas September 22, 2005 (AAR)
NSB Colorado River Headwaters Byway Colorado Descent along the Colorado River through canyons September 22, 2005
NSB Connecticut River Byway Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont Scenic drive on both sides of New England's longest river September 22, 2005
NSB Connecticut State Route 169 Connecticut One of the last unspoiled areas in New England September 19, 1996
NSB Copper Country Trail Michigan Traverses an area developed for copper mining September 22, 2005
NSB Coronado Trail Scenic Byway Arizona Scenic drive through high deserts and forests September 22, 2005
NSB Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway Washington Passes through coulees formed by receding glaciers September 22, 2005
NSB Country Music Highway Kentucky Historic drive through eastern Kentucky June 13, 2002
AAR Creole Nature Trail Louisiana Marshes and prairies of southern Louisiana September 19, 1996 (NSB)
June 13, 2002 (AAR)
NSB Crowley's Ridge Parkway Arkansas, Missouri Scenic drive along Crowley's Ridge, with a diversity of plant species June 9, 1998 (Arkansas)
June 15, 2000 (Missouri)
NSB Death Valley Scenic Byway California Scenic drive through the lowest place in North America, surrounded by mountains June 9, 1998
June 13, 2002 (extended)
NSB Delaware River Scenic Byway New Jersey Scenic and historic drive along the Delaware River in central New Jersey October 16, 2009
NSB Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway Colorado, Utah Passes many dinosaur fossil sites June 13, 2002
NSB East Tennessee Crossing Tennessee October 16, 2009
NSB Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway California Crossing of the Sierra Nevada past giant sequoia groves September 22, 2005
NSB Edge of the Wilderness Minnesota Scenic drive through forests and hills of northern Minnesota September 19, 1996
NSB Edisto Island National Scenic Byway South Carolina Scenic drive along marshes and through live oak forests in the Lowcountry of South Carolina October 16, 2009
NSB El Camino Real New Mexico Historic north–south route through central New Mexico June 9, 1998
September 22, 2005 (extended)
NSB The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway Utah Historic drive past coal mining operations June 15, 2000
NSB Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway Utah Scenic drive through the Uinta Mountains June 9, 1998
NSB Flint Hills Scenic Byway Kansas Scenic drive through Great Plains grasslands September 22, 2005
NSB Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway North Carolina October 16, 2009
AAR Florida Keys Scenic Highway Florida Scenic drive through the Florida Keys October 16, 2009 (AAR)
NSB Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Follows the paths of early explorers through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains June 9, 1998
AAR George Washington Memorial Parkway Virginia Landscaped parkway along the Potomac River September 22, 2005 (AAR)
NSB Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway New Mexico Scenic drive past mountains and lakes of southwestern New Mexico September 22, 2005
NSB Glenn Highway Alaska Terrain shaped by receding glaciers June 13, 2002
NSB Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Follows stage and rail routes to historic gold mining locations June 15, 2000
NSB Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Climbs to Grand Mesa September 19, 1996
NSB Grand Rounds Scenic Byway Minnesota Continuous parkway surrounding Minneapolis June 9, 1998
NSB Great River Road Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Wisconsin Scenic drive along the Mississippi River from its headwaters to southern Mississippi June 15, 2000 (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin)
June 13, 2002 (Arkansas)
September 22, 2005 (Mississippi)
October 16, 2009 (Tennessee)
AAR Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Maryland Provides access to historical sites related to Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad October 16, 2009
AAR Hells Canyon Scenic Byway Oregon Provides views of Hells Canyon on the Snake River June 15, 2000 (AAR)
NSB Highland Scenic Highway West Virginia Scenic drive through mountains and valleys September 19, 1996
NSB Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway Minnesota Historic and scenic drive through southeastern Minnesota June 13, 2002
AAR Historic Columbia River Highway Oregon America's first scenic highway, through the Columbia River Gorge June 9, 1998 (AAR)
AAR Historic National Road Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia Historic gateway to the Midwestern U.S. June 9, 1998 (NSB, Indiana)
June 15, 2000 (NSB, Illinois)
June 13, 2002 (AAR, all states)
NSB Historic Route 66 Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico Historic "Mother Road" linking Chicago to Los Angeles June 15, 2000 (New Mexico)
September 22, 2005 (Arizona, Illinois)
NSB Illinois River Road: Route of the Voyageurs Illinois Scenic drive through the Illinois River Valley September 22, 2005
NSB Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway Florida Diverse estuary near Kennedy Space Center June 13, 2002
AAR International Selkirk Loop Idaho, Washington Loop around the Selkirk Mountains September 22, 2005 (AAR)
NSB Jemez Mountain Trail New Mexico Scenic drive past geological formations and Indian ruins June 9, 1998
NSB Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia Corridor from Gettysburg, PA, to Monticello, VA; "Where America Happened" October 16, 2009
NSB Kaibab Plateau–North Rim Parkway Arizona Scenic drive through dense forests to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon June 9, 1998
NSB Kancamagus Scenic Byway New Hampshire Passes through the White Mountains September 19, 1996
NSB Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail Ohio Follows the south shore of Lake Erie September 22, 2005
NSB Lake Tahoe - Eastshore Drive Nevada Follows the east shore of Lake Tahoe September 19, 1996
AAR Lakes to Locks Passage, The Great Northeast Journey New York Passes by the connected waterways of the eastern tier of New York June 13, 2002 (AAR)
AAR Las Vegas Strip Nevada Urban boulevard past casinos and other Las Vegas entertainment June 15, 2000 (AAR)
NSB Lincoln Highway Illinois A portion of America's first transcontinental highway June 15, 2000
NSB Little Dixie Highway of the Great River Road Missouri Part of the Great River Road in northeastern Missouri June 13, 2002
NSB Loess Hills Scenic Byway Iowa Silt deposits in the Missouri River Valley June 15, 2000
NSB Logan Canyon Scenic Byway Utah Passes through scenic Logan Canyon June 13, 2002
NSB McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway Oregon Loop across two Cascade passes June 9, 1998
NSB Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Route Illinois Floodplain where the Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri rivers meet June 9, 1998
June 15, 2000 (extended)
NSB Merritt Parkway Connecticut Historic parkway with individually designed bridges September 19, 1996
NSB Midland Trail West Virginia Scenic drive through the New River Gorge June 15, 2000
NSB Millstone Valley Scenic Byway New Jersey Scenic and historic drive along the Millstone River in central New Jersey October 16, 2009
NSB Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Minnesota Historic drive through the Minnesota River Valley June 13, 2002
NSB Mohawk Towpath Byway New York Follows the historic Erie Canal September 22, 2005
NSB Mountains to Sound Greenway - I-90 Washington Scenic drive across the Cascades June 9, 1998
NSB Mt. Hood Scenic Byway Oregon Provides views of Mount Hood September 22, 2005
AAR Natchez Trace Parkway Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee Early trail connecting the Mississippi Territory with Nashville September 19, 1996 (AAR)
NSB Native American Scenic Byway North Dakota, South Dakota Traverses four Lakota Sioux reservations June 9, 1998 (South Dakota)
September 22, 2005 (extended in both states)
NSB Nebo Loop Scenic Byway Utah Passes near Mount Nebo in the Wasatch Range June 9, 1998
AAR North Shore Scenic Drive Minnesota Follows the north shore of Lake Superior June 15, 2000 (AAR)
June 13, 2002 (extended)
AAR Northwest Passage Scenic Byway Idaho Follows Lewis and Clark's search for the Northwest Passage June 13, 2002
September 22, 2005 (extended and became an AAR)
NSB Ohio & Erie Canalway Scenic Byway Ohio Historic drive along the Ohio and Erie Canal June 15, 2000
NSB Ohio River Scenic Route Illinois, Indiana, Ohio Follows the north bank of the Ohio River September 19, 1996 (Indiana)
June 9, 1998 (Illinois, Ohio)
NSB Old Canada Road Scenic Byway Maine Historic route between Maine and Quebec June 15, 2000
NSB Outback Scenic Byway Oregon Scenic drive through rugged country of southern Oregon June 9, 1998
NSB Outer Banks Scenic Byway North Carolina October 16, 2009
AAR Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Oregon Scenic drive along the Pacific coast June 9, 1998 (NSB)
June 13, 2002 (AAR)
NSB Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Minnesota Passes through the forests of central Minnesota September 22, 2005
NSB Payette River Scenic Byway Idaho Traverses foothills and valleys June 13, 2002
NSB Pend Oreille Scenic Byway Idaho Scenic drive along Lake Pend Oreille June 13, 2002
NSB Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway South Dakota Scenic drive through mountains of southwestern South Dakota September 19, 1996
NSB Pioneer Historic Byway Idaho Includes Mormon settlements and Oregon Trail ruts September 22, 2005
NSB Pyramid Lake Scenic Byway Nevada One of the largest desert lakes in the world September 19, 1996
NSB Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway Maine Scenic drive past mountains and lakes June 15, 2000
NSB Red River Gorge Scenic Byway Kentucky Scenic drive through the Red River Gorge June 13, 2002
AAR Red Rock Scenic Road Arizona Scenic drive through the high desert September 22, 2005 (AAR)
NSB Religious Freedom Byway Maryland Provides access to historic churches and the first capital of Maryland, St. Mary's City October 16, 2009
NSB River Road Scenic Byway Michigan Scenic drive through the Au Sable River Valley September 22, 2005
NSB Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway Oregon Follows two scenic rivers through southwestern Oregon June 13, 2002
AAR Route One, Big Sur Coast Highway California Scenic Drive along the Pacific coast September 19, 1996 (AAR)
AAR Route One, San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway California Scenic Drive along the Pacific coast June 13, 2002 (AAR)
NSB Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway Georgia Winds through the southern Appalachians June 15, 2000
AAR San Juan Skyway Colorado Loop through the San Juan Mountains September 19, 1996 (AAR)
NSB Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado, New Mexico Follows a historic trade route through scenic mountains and plains June 9, 1998
NSB Savannah River Scenic Byway South Carolina Scenic drive along the Savannah River June 9, 1998
NSB Schoodic Scenic Byway Maine Unspoiled coastline through the "quiet side" of Acadia National Park June 15, 2000
NSB Seaway Trail New York, Pennsylvania Scenic drive along the shores of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River September 19, 1996 (New York)
September 22, 2005 (Pennsylvania)
AAR Selma to Montgomery March Byway Alabama Route of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March led by Martin Luther King, Jr. September 19, 1996 (AAR)
AAR Seward Highway Alaska Scenic drive through mountains and fjords June 9, 1998 (NSB)
June 15, 2000 (AAR)
NSB Sky Island Scenic Byway Arizona Climb from the desert to forests with great biological diversity September 22, 2005
NSB Skyline Drive Virginia Scenic drive through Shenandoah National Park September 22, 2005
NSB Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway North Dakota Historic drive through a scenic valley June 13, 2002
NSB Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike West Virginia Historic drive through West Virginia forests September 22, 2005
NSB Stevens Pass Greenway Washington Scenic drive across the Cascades September 22, 2005
NSB Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway - SR 112 Washington Follows the shoreline of northwestern Washington June 15, 2000
NSB Talimena Scenic Drive Arkansas, Oklahoma Crest drive along some of the highest ridges between the Appalachians and Rockies September 22, 2005
NSB Talladega Scenic Drive Alabama Scenic drive through the southernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountains June 9, 1998
NSB Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway Florida Traverses the Florida Everglades June 15, 2000
NSB Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road California High mountain pass through Yosemite National Park September 19, 1996
NSB Top of the Rockies Colorado Scenic drive through the Rockies near Leadville June 9, 1998
NSB Trail of the Ancients Colorado, Utah Scenic drive through the Native American history of the Four Corners region September 22, 2005
NSB Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway New Mexico Scenic drive through the mountains of southwestern New Mexico September 22, 2005
AAR Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road Colorado America's highest continuously paved road September 19, 1996 (AAR)
NSB Turquoise Trail New Mexico Back road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe June 15, 2000
NSB Utah's Patchwork Parkway Utah Scenic drive through Cedar Breaks National Monument October 16, 2009
AAR Utah's Scenic Byway 12 - A Journey Through Time Utah Scenic drive through canyons, plateaus, and valleys June 13, 2002 (AAR)
AAR Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway California, Oregon Scenic drive through the Cascade Volcanic Arc June 9, 1998 (AAR, Oregon)
June 13, 2002 (AAR, California)
NSB Washington Heritage Trail West Virginia Scenic and historic drive through West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle June 15, 2000
NSB West Cascades Scenic Byway Oregon Follows the west side of the Cascades June 15, 2000
NSB Western Heritage Historic Byway Idaho Scenic drive to the Snake River Canyon September 22, 2005
NSB Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway Kansas Scenic drive through wetlands of central Kansas September 22, 2005
NSB White Mountain Trail New Hampshire Passes through the White Mountains and past Mount Washington June 9, 1998
NSB Wilderness Road Heritage Highway Kentucky Follows Daniel Boone's historic entrance to the valleys of Kentucky June 13, 2002
AAR Woodward Avenue Michigan Connects automobile-related historic sites of the "Motor City" June 13, 2002

See also

References

  1. ↑ Staff. "About the National Scenic Byways Program". America's Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved April 9, 2012. 
  2. ↑ Staff. "List of America's Byways". America's Byways. Federal Highway Adminitration. Retrieved November 7, 2010. 
  3. ↑ National Scenic Byways Program. "History of the Program". Program Information. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 3, 2012. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "National Scenic Byways Program Interim Policy". Federal Register (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office) 60 (96): 26756–7. May 18, 1995. Retrieved May 12, 2009. 

Further reading

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