FY 2009 National Scenic Byways Program Discretionary Grants

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued the FY 2009 solicitation for proposals under the National Scenic Byways Program. Under this program, the Secretary of Transportation may make grants to States or Indian tribes to implement projects on roads designated as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Indian tribe scenic byways. The Secretary may also make grants to States or Indian tribes to plan, design and develop a scenic byways program. Eligible projects must be from one of the following eight eligible activities: State or Indian tribe Scenic Byway Programs, Corridor Management Plans, Safety Improvements, Byways Facilities, Access to Recreation, Resource Protection, Interpretive Information, or Marketing. FHWA will continue to be more strategic in its FY 2009 National Scenic Byways Program grant awards process by targeting its resources toward projects that provide the greatest benefits. FHWA is particularly focusing on projects with demonstrated benefits for the byway traveler and invites the application of large-scale, high-cost projects that provide strategic benefits to the byway. The Federal share of the byway project grant is 80 percent. The National Scenic Byways Program FY 2009 Grants Information is available at: http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants. Please contact your Scenic Byway coordinator to discuss your project before preparing an application. Their contact information can be found at: http://www.bywaysonline.org/contacts/. Please visit the program website at http://www.bywaysonline.org.