What is a Scenic Byway?

The Georgia Department of Transportation defines a scenic byway as “any designated highway, street, road, or route that features certain intrinsic qualities that should be protected or enhanced.” The Georgia Scenic Byways Program seeks to identify, preserve, promote and protect treasured corridors throughout the State. A scenic byway preserves the natural beauty, protects the culture, and helps manage growth and tourism along the designated route.  A Scenic Byway protects the scenic, historic, natural, cultural, archeological, and recreational qualities of a community.

Community Benefits from a Scenic Byway

Improves Economic Vitality:

• Increases income from tourism without a large financial investment

• Increases economic development while preserving local economic resources.

            Enriches Education:  Develops resources for education including materials for classroom instruction and sites for field trips.

Inspires Community Development:

• Helps to manage growth. Provides local residents with a tool they can use to improve the quality of their life while allowing for growth and development

• Forms a “corridor of communication” linking all the cities, towns, communities, and property owners of the two counties.

• Brings together diverse communities throughout the region by organizing around a common goal to achieve a common vision and purpose.

• Provides a forum for activities that will preserve the nature of the region and promote “smart” development. The Byway remains a place people want to live in and visit.

• Improves and enhances the quality of life for residents by providing quality recreation.

• Increases pride in the community through knowledge of the local history and environment.

What is the Amicalola Scenic Byway?

The Amicalola Scenic Byway provides a corridor of roads that showcase the history, scenic views, and nature of Dawson and Pickens Counties. The map shows the route the Byway takes as approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

 Will Scenic Byway Designation Affect the Road?

After designation, Georgia Department of Transportation (GA DOT) Maintenance staff will work with local governments to develop a maintenance plan and schedule for the byway.  Local governments will maintain any county or city streets along the byway. Community groups, local governments and residents can also work to enhance the appearance of designated roadways through the GA DOT Wildflower and Adopt-A-Highway Programs to plant wildflowers, trees or plants along the roadway.

How Will the Byway be Funded?

There are several possible funding sources, including Federal and State government programs and private foundations.  At the Federal level, National Scenic Byways Grants and Transportation Enhancements can fund improvements to the byway such as information kiosks, marketing brochures, scenic overlooks, streetscaping plans, and safety improvements.  The Georgia Departments of Natural Resources and Community Affairs also offer many funding programs that could fund byway-related projects.

Who will Implement and Manage the Byway?

Both local governments (Dawson and Pickens Counties) and the Friends of the Amicalola Scenic Byway, a non-profit organization.