Maryland’s Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway has been voted as the winner of Scenic America’s first-ever Byways Madness contest.
The Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway stretches 419 miles from Chesapeake City to Crisfield on country roads along the bay’s edge and is part of the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop. This scenic byway is just one of many in Maryland.
America’s scenic byways faced off against each other playoff-style, with the competition structured similar to college basketball’s annual March Madness. The Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway beat out some pretty big names and destinations, including Big Sur Coast Highway and the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, which took second and third, respectively.
Chesapeake Country All American Road joins only 55 others throughout the nation that claim the All-American Road title. The designation means the byway has features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation’s scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development.
“The inclusion of the Chesapeake Country All-American Road in the National Scenic Byways network will open new doors for federal funding that can help Maryland communities preserve, showcase and monetize their historic, cultural, natural, recreational and tourism resources,” Senator Ben Cardin said. “The Chesapeake Country All-American Road weaves together some of the very best historic and natural landscapes that Maryland has to offer, and its recognition by the National Scenic Byways program helps secure its status as a treasured resource that will flourish into the future.”
Scenic byways are an economic engine for small towns and gateway communities across the country. A healthy national byways program drives economic growth through tourism, commerce, and travel revenue, not to mention investment in infrastructure and transportation improvements.
Scenic America, the sponsor of this national contest, has a vision for five areas of focus, including preserving and enhancing community character, honoring parks and open space, celebrating America’s scenic byways, undergrounding utility infrastructure, and promoting beautiful highways.
The Chesapeake Country All-American Road Alliance, a nine-county effort including Talbot County with a partnership with the Maryland Office of Tourism, has completed a byway-wide interpretive plan. The group also unveiled the new logo last fall, which travelers will see throughout the byway.
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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