The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration officially designated 45 new Byways including the
Mohawk Towpath Byway on September 22, 2005 at an official ceremony in Washington, DC.
The America’s Byways Designation 2-Day Event attracted more than 150 representatives of America’s Byways™ including Byway administrators, marketers, volunteers and enthusiasts. On the first day, the new Byway representatives were given hands-on instruction on how to use their new designation to increase awareness of their communities. Sessions included presentations by state coordinators, local and regional tourism officials, government partners, public relations specialists and others. A formal designation ceremony was held Thursday, September 22. In making the designation Under Secretary J. Richard Capka said, “We are very proud of our America’s Byways. They vividly display the heart and soul of our great country.”
“This is a tremendous cultural and promotional opportunity for the Capital District area because this new designation will increase awareness of our region,” said Eric Hamilton, chairman of the Coalition of representatives from each of the eight member municipalities along the Byway route from Waterford and Cohoes to Schenectady. “With this new designation as one of America’s Byways, the Mohawk Towpath Byway is eligible for additional federal funding, plus technical assistance and support. It also means the Byway will be included on future America’s Byways maps published by the US DOT, and that should help area residents better appreciate our Erie Canal heritage and help boost tourism to our area.” According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 80% of all travel in the U.S. is by car and many American’s enjoy the driving experience that our region has to offer.
The Mohawk Towpath Byway is the road that follows the historic route of the Erie Canal – “the Waterway West”. It is a diverse collection of town roads, county and state highways between Waterford, Cohoes and Schenectady. The story of the Byway is the Erie Canal and the part our communities played in the westward expansion of the country and in the industrial revolution.
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The program was established in 1991. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided almost $300,000,000 funding for 1,665 State and nationally designated byway projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as America’s Byways™—All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways—based on one or more archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic intrinsic qualities.
When asked what will happen next Mr. Hamilton said that New York State has tasked a contractor to erect “way finding signs” so that motorists, bicyclists and even pedestrians can more easily discover the Byway story. The Byway Coalition is preparing a Guide Book to help local residents and travelers find the recourses and publicize events that highlight the story of the Erie Canal and its contribution to our history. It is hoped that both of these efforts will be completed next spring.
Further information on the Mohawk Towpath Byway is available on the Byway’s web site http://mohawktowpath.homestead.com/ and at
http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/57185/
