FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt FOR MORE INFORMATION:
WRITTEN: July 30, 2003 Bret Poi, 624-3104

MAINE’S SCENIC BYWAYS BECOME MORE VISIBLE

New signs advising motorists that they’re traveling a designated scenic byway are going up statewide, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.
“Local groups organized to manage these byways worked with us to develop the new logo featured on the signs,” explained MDOT Senior Landscape Architect Bret Poi. The new logo features a stylized graphic with wording describing the route is a “Maine Scenic Byway.”

“In addition to the signs, we’ve recently published a traveler’s brochure and improved our website coverage,” Poi explains. “It’s all part of an effort to better recognize and celebrate Maine’s ten designated scenic byways, four of which have gained national recognition.” Poi says the brochure is available at MDOT’s www.maine.gov/mdot website and through the Maine Office of Tourism at 888-624-6345.

Maine’s Scenic Byways Program receives financial, technical, and promotional support from the Federal Highway Administration. In the last six years, over $2 million in federal scenic byways funds have been awarded to Maine to support planning and marketing studies, websites, interpretive displays and centers, safety improvements, new rest areas, and land conservation efforts. These awards supplement federal allotments to build and maintain Maine’s highways and bridges.
“With one of the oldest Scenic Byway programs in the country, Maine's program depends upon the support of local communities and volunteers interested in preserving, enhancing, and sharing each region’s heritage, culture and natural resources,” Poi notes. “Maine residents, businesses, and visitors all benefit from the program’s efforts,” he concluded.

Maine’s designated Scenic Byways include: The All-America Road Acadia Byway on Mount Desert Island; The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway along US Route 201 in the upper Kennebec River valley; the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway along parts of Routes 4 and 17 in the Rangeley area; the Schoodic National Scenic Byway along parts of US Route 1 and Route 186 on Frenchman’s Bay and the Schoodic Peninsula; the Grafton Notch Scenic Byway on Route 26 in Western Maine, including parts of Grafton Notch State Park; the Route 27 Scenic Byway in the Carrabassett River Valley between Kingfield and Coburn Gore; the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway along US Route 1 in northern Washington and southern Aroostook Counties; the Route 11 Scenic Byway along Route 11 in the Fish River Valley in northern Maine; and the Route 182 Scenic Byway between Franklin and Cherryfield in eastern Maine.

Maine’s Scenic Byways Local Contacts:

Bob Haynes, Coordinator
Bingham; 207-672-3971

• Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway
  

Rebecca Kurtz, Coordinator
Rangeley; 207-864-7311

• Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway

Jim Fisher, Senior Planner
Hancock County Planning Commission
Ellsworth; 207-667-7131

• Schoodic National Scenic Byway (Route 1 and Route 186 in Sullivan, Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor)
• Blackwoods State Scenic Byway (Route 182 in Franklin, Cherryfield, Township 9 SD and Township 10 SD)