Big Bend Scenic Byway becomes national treasure

            The Big Bend Scenic Byway, once an orphan in state custody, has found a home.

            The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration announced on Oct. 16 the addition of the Big Bend Scenic Byway to the collection of America’s Byways as a National Scenic Byway.

            The coastal route along US 98 in Franklin County and the forest trails through Wakulla, and Leon counties to link the Gulf Coast with Tallahassee. The 220-mile loop of roads, including a portion of US 98 was designated a State Scenic Byway last year.

            “This is the result of long hours of hard work by many people. We believe the Big Bend Scenic Byway is the most beautiful drive in America,” said Dixie Partington, chair of the Franklin County portion of the byway and vice chair for the Big Bend Byway advisory committee. “It is unique in so many ways including natural beauty and cultural heritage and we are glad to see this recognized and protected.”

            Partington, an early and longtime supporter of the designation, was applauded for her efforts by the Apalachicola city commission at its Nov. 3 meeting.

            Pam Portwood, program coordinator said the “Big Bend Scenic Byway features over 200 miles of forests, wildlife, historic forts, battlegrounds, museums, beaches, fishing villages, historic towns and rural communities.”

            The byway begins, or ends, at Scipio Creek in Apalachicola.

            Partington said, that with the national designation, interpretive kiosks will be constructed along the route.  The main kiosk will be located near the Three Servicemen Detail.

            A dedication ceremony was held at the Tallahassee Museum on Tuesday morning, with a ribbon cutting to be held in Apalachicola at a later date, Partington said.

            According to the National Scenic Byways Website http://www.byways.org, the federal National Scenic Byways Program, first established in 1991, is intended “to create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places.”

            The program recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities, and has 151 such designated Byways in 46 states.

            “Perhaps one of the underlying principles for the program has been articulated best by the Byway leader who said the program is about recognition, not regulation,” reads the website.

            Information including maps, driving directions, and recommended stops along The Big Bend Scenic Byway can be found at http://www.floridabigbendscenicbyway.org