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Although people have enjoyed scenic corridors for decades, interest in sanctional scenic driving programs increased greatly in 1991 when President's Commission on Americans Outdoors identified "driving for pleasure" as the second most popular recreational activity for adults. The USDA Forest Service pioneered the development of scenic driving programs to showcase the scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, and/or natural qualities of some of this country's finest roadways. The National Scenic Byways designation is awarded to routes that show the regional characteristics of the nation's culture, history, and landscape. To be considered for Byway 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.
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Through the Scenic Byway Program, established by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), the National Scenic Byways Program emphasizes the conservation of scenic byway's intrinsic qualities in balance with tourism and other economic development activities. The program also provides discretionary grants for scenic byway projects scenic byways. Eligible projects can include the following: planning and developing a scenic byway strategic plan; safety improvements to scenic byways; pedestrian and bycyclist facilities, rest areas, turnouts, shoulder improvements, passing lanes and overlooks; interpretive facilities; improvements that enhance the area for the purpose of recreation; protection of historical and cultural resources; and developing and providing tourist information. Individuals, organizations and local governments identified roadways with truly distinctive qualities and nominated them for State Scenic Byway designation. Routes that display scenic, cultural, geologic, wildlife habitat, or other aesthetic features were eligible for consideration.
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The National Scenic byways Program provides for the designation of roads that have outstanding scenic, historic, cultual, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities. Scenic byways enjoy special protection and best of all, these roadways pass through some of the most enjoyable and intriguing landscapes in Nebraska. The Nebraska Byways Program recognizes several roadways that exhibit Nebraska's unique character and beauty. Seventeen sections of Nebraska highways were submitted for application to the Scenic Byways program, only eight were granted in addition to the pilot project, Highway 26/92 from Ogallala through Scottsbluff to Henry near the Wyoming border. These nine sections of highway will be the only byways designation in Nebraska. Officially designated State Scenic Byways are recognized by distinctive signs and on the State Highway Map and may be eligible to compete for federal Scenic Byways Grant Funds to enhance the route.
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What are Scenic Byways?
Scenic byways may be rural, suburban or urban, but the common link is that they all provide an alternative to today's fast-paced lifestyle. Scenic byways can steer motorists to state and local parks or other public lands. Scenic byways can provide economic opportunities and conserve scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological resources.
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What are the Benefits of a Scenic Byways Program?
Nebraska is a unique state with a variety of natural scenery, recreational areas, parks, historic sites and communities. Roadways provide easy access to these areas, and the scenic byways program is designed to promote their special qualities. One of the key benefits of the program is the added economic opportunities and increased tourism provided to communities along the designated route. A program promoted statewide through maps and othe literature can expand the number of visitors to an area, which can generate economic growth and increase community recognition.
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How Does a Roadway Become a Scenic Byway?
Any agency, group, or individual can nominate a route for scenic byway designation. However, there must be local government support and commitment for desgnating the route a scenic byway, since the purpose of the program is to preserve and improve the scenic value of the route. A corridor management plan outlining specific strategies and actions to manage the route must also be developed and included with the nomination. The corridor management planning process establishes community-based goals and implementation strategies for the scenic byway to utilize community resources efficiently to conserve intrinsic qualities of the scenic byway and enhance its value to the community.
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History
The Intermodal Surface Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) established the national scenic byways program, but it wasn't until May of 1995 that the FHA published an interim policy in the Federal Register intiating the program.
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