Transportation Division

Scenic Byways

The National Scenic Byways Program is administered by the Federal Highway Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.  Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided funding for almost 1500 state and nationally recognized byway projects in 48 states.  The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. (Source: http://www.byways.org)  

The law guiding implementation of the National Scenic Byways Program is in Section 162, Title 23 of the United States Code.  It states that the Secretary of Transportation may make grants to States to:

A. Implement projects on highways designated as:

1. National Scenic Byways;
2. All American Roads;
3. American's Byways;
4. State Scenic Byways; or
5. Indian Tribe Scenic Byways; and

B. Plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byways program.

The following paragraph under paragraph (a) of Section 162 provides the priorities for the Secretary of Transportation in making grants:

2.  PRIORITIES - In making grants, the Secretary shall give priority to:
    A. Each eligible project that is associated with a highway that has been designated as a National Scenic Byway, All American Road, or one of American's Byways; and that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway;
    B. Each eligible project along a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway, or is intended to foster the development of such a plan, and is carried out to make the scenic byway eligible for designation as--
        i. National Scenic Byways;
        ii. All American Roads; or
        iii. America's Byways; and
    C. Each eligible project that is associated with the development of a State or Indian Tribe scenic byways program. 

These three priorities are treated equally; they are not considered to be listed in priority order. (Source: http://www.scenicbywaysonline.org/grants/guidance/)

KIPDA Scenic Byways Contact: Stacey Clark
11520 Commonwealth Drive
Louisville , Kentucky 40299
502-266-6084
FAX 502-266-5047

Indiana Scenic Byways Contact: Michael O’Loughlin
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 North Senate Avenue , Room N901
Indianapolis , Indiana 46204
317-232-5653
FAX 317-232-1499
http://www.in.gov/dot/modetrans/byways.html

Kentucky Scenic Byways Contact: Amanda D. Ratliff 
Office of Special Programs
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street , 6^th Floor
Frankfort , Kentucky 40622
502-564-2060
FAX 502-564-6615
http://tea21.ky.gov/scenic_byways.asp

Other Helpful Scenic Byways Links:
http://www.bywaysonline.org
http://www.byways.org

Please click here to send an email with any questions or concerns.