Many roads and highways in theUnited States are labeledscenic byways for having exceptional scenic, historical, archaeological, natural, cultural, or recreational significance. Thesescenic routes are usually formally designated by national, state, or local agencies in recognition of these qualities, and many are also preserved or managed with special legislation and funding beyond what is required for ordinary road maintenance.[1]
Several agencies of the United States federal government are authorized to designate and manage scenic byways. The National Scenic Byway Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 2003 to support efforts for development, management and marketing of scenic byways by the Federal Highway Administration and byway organizations.[2][3] National scenic byways include:
Many individual state governments also sponsor programs for designating scenic byways, which is often the first step towards the designation of a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration.[9] Generally the state byways are nominated by local communities with the assistance of the state's department of natural resources and tourism offices and then designated by the state's department of transportation. Forty-eight U.S. states and the District of Columbia manage scenic byways programs that operate as part of the National Scenic Byways Program.[9]
The Navajo National Scenic Byways were developed by a task force including theArizona Department of Transportation andBureau of Indian Affairs[10] and are administered with the cooperation of the Federal Highway Administration.[11]
