U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $111,807 for New Mexico's Scenic Byway Program

Topics:  Norman Mineta

Federal Highway Administration
2 June 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Contact: Lori Irving, 202-366-0660
FHWA 7-04m

Grants Will Support New Mexico's Small Communities, Promote Tourism

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that New Mexico will receive $111,807 in grants for projects that are part of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) National Scenic Byways Program.

"The only way to visit many of our nation's treasures is to travel on a scenic byway," said Mineta. "Investing in these roads is the best way to bring travel and tourism dollars to many of New Mexico's small towns."

The grants will provide educational signs along the Billy the Kid Trail in the Smokey Bear Historical Park. The signs will highlight points of interest and provide information to visitors about the Park's history, landscaping, fire retardant vegetation and the six vegetative life zones that are found in New Mexico.

The grants will also provide information to travelers along the Jemez Mountain Trail. New kiosks will provide travelers with information about the cultural and historic resources along the byway. In addition, new signs and highway markings will be provided for the El Camino Real National Scenic Byway.

"Our nation's scenic byways provide a vital link between countless travelers and New Mexico's small towns and rural areas, supporting hundreds of mom and pop shops along the way," said FHWA Administrator Mary E. Peters. "The Bush administration is proud to help local communities support, improve and promote these important resources."

Currently, 96 roads in 39 states have been named by the U.S. Department of Transportation as one of America's Byways. Studies suggest that byway designations increase the number of visitors to rural communities by up to 20 percent, resulting in billions more dollars and tens-of-thousand of jobs nationwide. Those same studies have found that the typical byway visitor spends between $100 and $200 per trip.

The National Scenic Byway Program recognizes roadways around the nation based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities. The funding announced today will assist the grassroots efforts of communities along the byways to preserve, protect, interpret and promote the qualities of the designated road. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided $219 million for 1,595 projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

More information about the National Scenic Byways Program is available online at www.byways.org or by calling toll-free, 1-800-4-BYWAYS (1-800-429-9297).