Press Release

August 18, 2011
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE SCENIC BYWAYS FUNDING FOR MARYLAND
Grants for projects in Baltimore, Eastern Shore, Western Maryland

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded several grants to the Maryland Department of Transportation to help preserve and enhance three historic scenic byways in the state under the National Scenic Byways Program.

“Maryland’s scenic byways are historic, natural and economic treasures,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.  “Millions of visitors traverse our great roads each year to take in Maryland’s natural beauty and rich history.  This funding will help preserve Maryland’s cultural heritage for generations to come.” 

“I’m proud of this federal-state partnership to protect Maryland’s heritage and promote our tourism economy. These grants will help commuters and visitors enjoy the state’s terrific combination of natural beauty and American history,” Senator Mikulski said. “Marylanders can count on me to continue to work in the Senate to keep our roadways and culture a priority in the federal checkbook.”

The USDOT has awarded the following National Scenic Byway grants in Maryland:

  • $42,400 for a colorful, user-friendly map for the Charles Street National Scenic Byway in Baltimore, which includes the original Washington Monument (National Historic Landmark) dating to 1815 and Pennsylvania Station dating to 1911.
  • $75,000 to create design guidelines for Baltimore City and County in maintaining the historic and scenic qualities of the byway corridor, which runs the length of Charles Street from I-95 to (southern end) to I-695 (northern end).
  • $55,000 for a detailed interpretive plan for the late author James Michener’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway, including interpretive signs and waysides.  The byway runs though the Mid-shore region of the Chesapeake Bay on the Eastern Shore, including the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. 
  • $485,121 to help implement the National Road corridor management plan in Western Maryland. The grant will help finance the acquisition of a 277-acre conservation easement and implement additional resource protection along the corridor.  

###

X