The U.S Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced on Friday that $21.8 million in grants are going to 33 National Scenic Byways Program projects, with 5 going to Tribal applicants.
“FHWA is proud to award these grants that will help make travel safer, provide more enjoyable access, and support local businesses along scenic byways across the country,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “Scenic routes provide myriad ways to explore the United States, and it’s no wonder that since its inception in 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has received broad support from Members of Congress, State and local officials, and the public.”
Since the start of the program, 3,200 grants have been awarded.
The awards include the following grants:
- $96,000 will go to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for repairs at Sierra County’s Kentucky Mine Historical Park along the Yuba River State Scenic Byway.
- $714,000 is going to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) to install 51 thematic kiosks at key entry points and high use areas on the State’s 14 scenic byways, providing maps, traveler-focused interpretation, and information to orient them throughout their route.
- $302,000 is going to the Forest County Potawatomi Community Tribe in Wisconsin which aims to enhance the tribe's biking and pedestrian trails by designing and constructing four culturally interpretive rest areas along a path which parallels the Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway.
Established by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and administered by FHWA, the National Scenic Byways Program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve, and enhance roads throughout the United States designated as America’s Byways.
For a full list of grants, click here.
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Source: USDOT
