(July 29, 2014) – “Let’s take the scenic route” are words that lead through bucolic pastures, majestic mountains and quaint towns as well as discoveries of historic places and great restaurants, recreation and shopping. Across the state there are many roads that provide beautiful vistas, especially the 18 National and State officially designated and signed Scenic Byways from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic coastline that offer a taste of Maryland’s scenic beauty, history and culture.
“The scenic byways provide our residents and visitors with a gateway to all that Maryland has to offer. They increase economic activity by encouraging travelers to learn more about our valuable history and to visit longer in our communities while eating at nearby restaurants and staying at local hotels,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. "Together, our state agencies are working to preserve more of these historic roads in every corner of our state, while also driving up tourism and economic activity for local economies.”
“By protecting and preserving Maryland's scenic byways, we're bringing visitors to our state while creating jobs for the small businesses that call these roads home," said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “By working together, we'll grow our economy and spur tourism while ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the strength and richness of Maryland's past, present, and future.”
A consortium of Maryland agencies are working together to preserve, enhance and market the state’s Scenic Byways for future generations. DBED’s video promotes the Scenic Byways program. Additionally, the Maryland Scenic Byways Program Advisory Committee published a strategic plan to integrate Maryland’s Scenic Byways more directly to the surrounding landscape. Maryland Scenic Byways: Moving Forward Toward Sustainability guides and supports the sustaining the system of scenic byways as an integral part of Maryland’s transportation network.
As part of the plan, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is installing new signs for the state and national routes to meet modern traffic standards. All byways will have new signs by the end of 2015.
As a practical resource for local agencies and advocates, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and SHA developed the Scenic Byways Resource Protection Application, a GIS-based mapping tool to inventory protected, vulnerable and threatened resources along Maryland’s Scenic Byways. Local and State agencies use the tool to prioritize preservation and conservation actions in a targeted and strategic manner.
The strategic plan identified the need for a series of regional workshops to provide in-depth technical assistance to link byways with recreational-access opportunities, visitor experience planning and development, funding enhancement opportunities and documenting economic impacts of well-managed byways. Also, the team will meet with the 24 jurisdictional planning directors to focus on integrating scenic byway corridor management plans more directly into the local comprehensive land use plans and development review procedures.
For 24 years, Maryland Scenic Byways have guided travelers from the region, the nation and the world to some of Maryland’s most cherished landscapes, vibrant main streets, bountiful agricultural communities and maritime waterfronts. The program is an important tool to promote Maryland’s rich culture and natural beauty and is a catalyst for heritage tourism and economic development. SHA has worked in partnership with the Maryland Office of Tourism to market the byways through advertising, public relations, social media and at Travel Information Centers located throughout the state. To view the television ads please click here.
MD 611 is a section of the Cape to Cape Scenic Byway
in Worcester County, MD
Maryland’s nationally designated Scenic Byways consist of: the Historic National Road, Journey Through Hallowed Ground, Charles Street, Religious Freedom, Chesapeake Country and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. Maryland’s State designated byways include byways such as the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, Mountain Maryland, Chesapeake Country, Antietam Campaign and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal byway.
There are 150 National Scenic Byways in the United States. To learn more about the program please click here.
The Scenic Byways Program is supported by many partnering agencies including:
Maryland Department of Transportation/State Highway Administration
Department of Business and Economic Development/Office of Tourism Development
Department of Natural Resources/Maryland Environmental Trust/
Department of Housing and Community Development/Main Streets Maryland
Maryland Department of Planning /Maryland Historic Trust/Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
Federal Highway Administration
National Park Service
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