Teton Scenic Byway wins Federal Highway Administration funding
The Teton Scenic Byway has won nearly $384 thousand from the Federal Highway Administration to develop a visitor rest area in Victor. It was one of five Idaho Scenic Byway projects including in the National Scenic Byway Program’s 2012 award selections.
Victor Planning and Zoning Administrator Bill Knight says the facility will be built at the site of the former Union Pacific Railroad Depot. The city purchased the property for $416 thousand last year.
Knight said the funds will help develop a two point four acre linear park replicating the original track alignment, including a pavilion, parking, sidewalks and trails. He calls it a “beacon for travelers” that will serve as “an architectural cornerstone” for community redevelopment.
The federal funding will also support new Scenic Byway signage for 29 Idaho rest areas. Western Heritage Historic Byway received $490 thousand for walking, bicycling and vehicle pull-offs. A public transportation access project earned $113 thousand to examine how rural transportation providers may be integrated into a regional network along the top 10 scenic drives in the Northern Rockies. And, a rest area adjacent the Payette River National Scenic Byway in McCall will receive nearly $58 thousand for rehabilitation work.
The National Scenic Byways Program recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational and archaeological qualities. Program funding supports projects that manage and protect these roads and improve visitor facilities.
