Maryland Scenic Byways Program

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and pride in local communities as well as the visitor appeal by identifying and promoting as well as encouraging the responsible management and preservation of the state’s most scenic, cultural and historic roads and surrounding resources

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 view the Grant Overview (PDF, 152KB) and the Preliminary Grant Application (PDF, 152KB). 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

CSS Guidelines for Maryland Scenic Byways

SHA has developed guidelines for work on byways titled, Context-Sensitive Solutions (CSS) principles for Maryland Scenic Byways (PDF, 562 kb) and CSS Guidelines for the Historic National Road (PDF, 2.88 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).
• St. Mary’s and Charles Counties and the Southern Maryland Heritage Area, Inc. have teamed up with landscape architects, planners, engineers, and historians to develop the Religious Freedom Byway Corridor Management Plan (PDF, 22.78 MB.) The Religious Freedom Byway presents the story of America’s First Right and the quest for religious tolerance in Colonial America.

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: byways@sha.state.md.us