Analyze the Existing America's Byways® Collection

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Grant Funds Awarded

National Scenic Byway Program grants have been an important part of establishing and growing the America’s Byways® Collection. The grants are awarded based on an 80-20 match: the local byway, State or Indian tribe is responsible for providing at least 20 percent of the project cost. In‑kind matches and Federal land management agency matches are permitted to meet the 20% requirement.[1],[2]

Table 1 provides a summary of grant funds awarded over the history of the Program. Compared to typical FHWA funded projects, the NSBP grants are extremely modest, averaging approximately $126,000 per grant. National Scenic Byway Grants accounted for approximately 0.08% of the total 2007 FHWA budget.[3]

Table 1 : Total National Scenic Byways Program Grants, 1992–2006
Year Number of Grants Grant Funds Awarded
1992 75 $10,000,000
1993 94 $10,040,000
1994 82 $10,000,000
1995 105 $18,937,124
1996 104 $13,396,800
1997 77 $11,903,934
1998 97 $7,000,000
1999 242 $34,385,173
2000 122 $20,399,233
2001 142 $20,483,088
2002 140 $23,083,400
2003 209 $26,327,750
2004 169 $23,854,702
2005 207 $22,457,500
2006 309 $25,563,807
2007 276 $30,533,369
Total 2,450 $308,365,880

Grants are awarded based on eight eligible funding categories[4]:

  • Planning, design, and development of State or Indian tribe scenic byway programs
  • Development and implementation of a corridor management plan
  • Safety improvements to designated scenic byways
  • Construction of byway facilities
  • Improvements for recreation
  • Protection of historical, archaeological, and cultural resources
  • Development of visitor information
  • Development and implementation of a marketing program

A brilliant blue sky is the backdrop for this street view of a lamppost decorated with side-by-side banners for the Lincoln Highway and Historic Route 66 in Illinois. Lincoln Highway and Historic Route 66, Illinois

Photo by Ruth Frantz (© 1999 Ruth Frantz)

  1. Since TEA-21, Federal agencies other than FHWA have been allowed to provide match dollars for NSBP grants.^ back

  2. States have different policies regarding how to count in-kind matches, and different requirements as to when match funds must be available.^ back

  3. Source: USDOT, "2007 Budget in Brief" (http://www.dot.gov/bib2007/admins.html#fhwa).^ back

  4. This list provides a brief summary of eligible funding categories. See the statute in Appendix B for a detailed description of these categories and eligible projects.^ back

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