Scenic Ohio roads garner national recognition

COLUMBUS – Two Ohio roads were recently added to the federal government’s National Scenic Byways Program.

The Federal Highway Administration designated the Historic National Road in Ohio an All-American Road, and named the Amish County Scenic Byway a National Scenic Byway.

Scenic routes. The Amish County Byway is comprised of a number of state routes in Holmes County.

The Historic National Road, U.S. 40, is the first federally supported road in U.S. history. It stretches from Maryland to Illinois. In Ohio, the byway extends from the Ohio River at Bridgeport to the Indiana line, a distance of 230 miles.

National program. Under the National Scenic Byways Program, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.

To be designated as such, a road must possess at least one of these qualities and be regionally significant. To receive an All-American Road designation, a road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere.

Reason for the trip. The road or highway must also be considered a “destination unto itself,” providing an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that they would make a drive along the highway a primary reason for their trip.

With these new designations, there are 75 National Scenic Byways and 20 All-American Roads in 39 states, including 9 with portions in more than one state. Ohio now has three National Scenic Byways and one All-American Road.