Our Program
Vermont Byway Program
In 1991, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funded the National Scenic Byways Program. The purpose of this program is to "identify, designate, and promote scenic byways and to protect and enhance the recreational, scenic, historic and cultural qualities of the areas through which these byways pass." Through the National Byway Program, local organizers can apply for Federal Byway grants to help preserve their intrinsic qualities and to tell their story to the Byway traveler. Through the funds provided with these grants local organizers seek to enhance a visitors experience when traveling their Byway.In 1993 Governor Dean resurrected the Scenery Preservation Council (originally established in 1966). Based on a study completed in June of 1996, the State - through the Scenery Preservation Council established a Vermont Byways Program. The primary benefits of the Vermont Byways Program are as follows:
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The program can be a source of federal transportation grants to assist with improvements related to either tourism or resource conservation. The federal funds can be used for road safety improvements, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, rest areas, recreation area investments, protecting cultural, historic and viewshed resources along the road and providing tourist information and interpretive material or facilities. From 1992 to 2007 Vermont byways have received $6,197,187.00 in Federal byway grants.
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The program can be used as a marketing tool at the local, state and national level to assist with tourism development. The U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration is planning to promote the national scenic byway network to an international audience. Many states have taken their byway programs and used them as targeted marketing programs.
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The program can provide a framework for a community or a group of communities to create a management strategy for special resources (e.g., historic, natural, cultural, scenic or recreational) that lie along the byway. Consequently, any effort to create a byway will begin by identifying what is special about a road and then developing a long term strategy for the road and its corridor that involves some combination of conserving these special characteristics, promoting them to potential visitors and making the necessary investments to ensure a safe and satisfying experience for the traveler.
John LaBarge
Scenic Byways Coordinator,
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Tele: (802) 828-3508
E-mail: john.labarge@state.vt.us
