National Scenic Byways (NSB) Program
In 1991, Congress initiated a number of reimbursable grant programs designed to enhance America's "Livable Communities". The NSB program was initiated by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and continued by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).
"Byways" may be State-designated or Federal-designated; West Virginia currently has eleven State designated Byways, ten State-designated Backways and four Federally-designated Byways: a List of Contacts for each is available. For West Virginia's Byways & Backways Program, an application for designation is also available. Once officially designated (either State or Federal), an organization may apply for discretionary funds to undertake eligible projects; link to the byways website below for more information on the funding Application process. Also available is a brochure describing West Virginia's Byways and Backways.
National Scenic Byway funds are made available to the DOH, which administers the NSB program for the Federal Highway Administration which maintains a website at byways.org. An Intent-to-Apply form is to be completed by January of each year.
A requirement for designation is that there be no additional outdoor advertising erected along the route, unless portions are "segmented". An application for segmentation is available.
National Scenic Byways Program
Ryan Burns, Program Coordinator
Phone: 304-558-9297
Fax: 304 558-3783
Last Updated: 5/19/2011