National Scenic Byways Grants
Our Grants Program funds the development of community-based corridor management plans (CMP), which make scenic byways eligible for additional grants as well as a National Scenic Byway designation. For more information about Scenic Byways Grants see "Grant Overview" (RTF, 207 KB) , "Grant Solicitation Letter" (RTF, 3.9 MB), "Grant Application" (RTF, 58.5 KB) Check out the list of previously funded grants by visiting http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/

Scenic byways must be designated at the State level before a sponsor may apply for CMP funds. In order to obtain the state designation, the byway must be "scenic" with added weight given to byways with historical, cultural, natural, archaeological, and/or recreational qualities that promote Maryland's unique heritage. Preference will also be to byways with the potential for broad-based community support. After a CMP has been completed, the project sponsor may choose to nominate the State Scenic Byway as a National Scenic Byway or an All American Road. Visit the National Scenic Byway page at: http://www.byways.org

Grant Submission Process

Potential project sponsors must submit a scenic byway Preliminary Application should be submitted to the Maryland Scenic Byways Program at SHA by September 29th, 2006. With exception to Statewide projects, sponsors may request no more then $100,000. In mid-October, the State Byway Advisory Committee will meet to prioritize projects. In late-October, sponsors of projects prioritized within the $700,000 range (the approximate amount that MD may receive in FY 2007), will be invited to meet with the committee to present their project and discuss how it meets the SB program goals. After the review and presentation, eligible will be invited to complete a National Scenic Byway application, which will be located at www.grants.gov late Fall, 2006.

CSS Guidelines for Maryland Scenic Byways

SHA has initiated a project to prepare Context-Sensitive Solutions (CSS) principles for all Maryland Scenic Byways (PDF, 178 kb) and CSS Guidelines for the Historic National Road (PDF, 22.1 mb). Future road improvements along the byways will give consideration to the intrinsic qualities of the byway, which will improve the visitor experience.

Corridor Management Plans

• Check out the Charles Street Corridor Management Plan. Charles Street is considered Baltimore's premier street-the address for some of its finest stores, restaurants, offices, institutions, and homes. Charles Street is practically an outdoor museum that virtually tells the story of urban innovation in City Planning, Architecture, Education, and Philanthropy.
• The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Committee (LESHC) has been working closely with SHA in an effort to develop a CMP for the Blue Crab Scenic Byway (PDF, 20.2 mb). This new byway plan will create a 150 mile loop through the lower three counties with three offshoots taking visitors to Crisfield/Smith Island, Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore.
• The Maryland National Road Association (MNRA), a collaboration of state agencies, local governments, and the communities have completed a CMP, nominated and received an 'All American Road' designation for the Historic National Road (HNR) . A new non-profit has formed to continue the mission of the HNR CMP. The MNRA has applied for $25,000 in NSB funds for a seed grant to help it meet its' self-sustaining goal. Several members of the MNRA Management Team are board members of the National Road Alliance, a multi-State, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the entire length of the Road;
• The Chesapeake Country Alliance is a partnership between Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's Counties and SHA. The Alliance has nominated and received National Scenic Byway status for one of the state's most diverse and beautiful driving routes through the Delmarva Peninsula;
• Other Maryland communities are developing Corridor management plans for many of the designated State scenic byways, such as Catoctin Mountain National Scenic Byway , Charles Street, Falls Road, Lower Eastern Shore Byway, Lower Patuxant River Byway and the Underground Railroad Trail.
• Preservationists, historians, tourism and planning officials, from Dorchester County, Caroline County, MD Office of Tourism Development, and the MD State Highway Administration have partnered do develop the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Corridor Management Plan (PDF, 22.9 MB).

For Further Information:
For further information about each byway, see "Scenic Byways" or contact:
Maryland Scenic Byways
Office of Environmental Design
State Highway Administration
707 North Calvert Street
Baltimore MD 21202
E-Mail: [email protected]