Four Maryland Byways receive national designation
from U.S. Department of Transportation
State roads recognized for excellence
BALTIMORE (October 16, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that four Maryland Byways – stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Catoctin Mountains – have been designated as America’s Byways. The designation by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration indicates these roads are among the best driving tours in the nation.
To be named a National Scenic Byway, a road must provide travelers with an experience that evokes at least one of these intrinsic qualities: archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic. Roads that have multiple intrinsic qualities and a unique feature that supports their distinctive status can receive an All-American Road designation. And, roads that have either of these designations are considered to be among America’s Byways.
“The federal government recognizes Maryland’s strong Byways system and its collective commitment to preserving and promoting the exceptional aspects of our state,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Maryland Byways represent a great partnership of two state agencies – the Maryland Office of Tourism and the State Highway Administration – that are working together to provide our citizens and visitors with an exceptional travel experience.”
“The journey is the destination along these nationally designated Scenic Byways that provide an authentic Maryland experience", said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley.
Maryland’s “Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway” received the All-American Road designation for its history and culture. Three state routes that are now National Scenic Byways are: “Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street”, “The Journey Through Hallowed Ground” and the “Religious Freedom Byway.”
“Maryland Byways are a fun way for Maryland residents and visitors to access places of great beauty and illuminating history,” said Margot A. Amelia, Executive Director of the Office of Tourism. “These roadways also give travelers an opportunity to interact with unique small businesses along the road – from B&Bs to interesting shops and restaurants – which provides a boost for local economies.”
Maryland Byways designated as All-American Roads:
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad: This byway brings to life the stories of theUnderground Railroad and freedom seekers, such as Dorchester County's Harriet Tubman. The byway also connects to multiple water trails. From Dorchester County, the route turns north through Caroline County where many Maryland abolitionists supported the cause of freedom.
Maryland Byways designated as National Scenic Byways:
Baltimore’s Historic Charles Street: This byway captures 400 years of historic transformations, including the emergence of the Inner Harbor and Charles Center –developments that have been used as the standards for urban-renewal projects around the world.
Religious Freedom: This byway, with several branches that reach toward the Potomac River, incorporates many of the nation's oldest churches, the site of the first Roman Catholic Mass held in English-speaking America, and Maryland's colonial capital, Historic St. Mary's City.
Journey Through Hallowed Ground: This multi-state byway follows Route 15/20 from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, through Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties, to Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia. This scenic and historically rich landscape has "soaked up more of the blood, sweat, and tears of American history than any other part of the country," said the late historian C. Vann Woodward.
To order a free Maryland Byways travel kit (includes Destination Maryland, 2009 Maryland Calendar of Events and a state byways map) call 877-632-9929 (1-877-MD-BYWAY), or go online at: www.visitmaryland.org.
About Maryland tourism
The Maryland Office of Tourism is an agency of the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts within the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. Maryland’s latest visitor data confirms that in 2007, the state welcomed more than 27 million visitors who generated more than $13.6 billion in visitor spending. That figure is up from $13.2 billion the previous calendar year. During 2007, the Maryland tourism industry generated more than $1.7 billion in state and local taxes and provided more than 140,000 jobs to Maryland residents.
