(September 3, 2013) – In support of economic development, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) with assistance from the Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and local communities, is improving tourism with highway signs featuring significant local destinations.  Known as Tourist Area and Corridor (TAC) signing, the program provides a network of guide signs to qualifying attractions along designated corridors.

While TAC is not a new program, the SHA has improved it and awarded a multi-year statewide contract this year to review the existing attraction and tourism signing along State-maintained roads in all 23 Maryland counties. SHA and DBED will work with local communities to create plans to guide travelers off the main highway to attractions.  Applications are being accepted in four counties at this time, with the remaining counties planned over the next several years.

“Tourism signs serve as guides for travelers who are seeking to learn more about Maryland’s history, experience our culture and enjoy recreational activities,” stated SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “While Maryland’s roads take us to those destinations, the sign program points the way.”

Along main highways, an area will be featured on signs along the route (i.e. “Historic Towns”) not names and logos of specific attractions.  Motorists will then be guided to specific attractions with signage.  Additionally, the updated program eliminates the distance limitation between the main road and the farthest signed facility, and eliminates the fee for tourist attractions for the program.

The TAC Eligibility Committee, comprised of government agencies and the private sector, will review all program applications to ensure eligibility.  Once complete, the TAC conceptual plans will be developed to create inclusive corridors of all eligible attractions in a given area that provide recreational, historical, cultural and educational activities to the public.  The locations must meet certain criteria:

• Open at least six hours a day, and five days a week including Saturday and/or Sunday;

• Open to random, daily visitation from guests without appointment/advance notice;

• Provide public access to on-site restrooms, water, telephone and parking; and

• Be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for handicapped accessibility.

SHA representatives are meeting with county and local officials to finalize project concepts, develop construction plans and begin the implementation of sign installation.  Applications are currently being sought for Allegany, Caroline, Cecil and Harford counties.  Nearly $650,000 is allocated to implement the TAC Program in these four counties.  A complete listing of attraction signing criteria, application deadline dates for other counties and program information is available at www.roads.maryland.gov by typing “TAC” in the search engine. 

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