U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $884,749 for Florida'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 7-04d
Grants Will Support Florida's Small Communities, Promote Tourism
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that Florida will receive $884,749 in grants for the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, which is 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 Florida's small towns."
The grants will provide funding for additional parking, walking trails, bike racks and educational signs along the A1A byway. They will also provide for a public education program.
"Our nation's scenic byways provide a vital link between countless travelers and Florida'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).