Federal and local officials are looking at having the Longhouse
Scenic Byway and some connecting roads named a Pennsylvania Byway,
an effort which could bring additional funding for scenic overlooks
and rest areas.
If approved – the long application process is just starting –
the byway would be the second one located in the region. In 2001,
the Lindholm Road (Route 3011) which travels past the Kinzua Bridge
State Park and leads into Mount Jewett, was designated a byway.
Officials hope the effort – which would encompass routes 59 and
321 along with Forest Service Road 262 – will help spur additional
tourism to the region and create “a loop” for travelers reaching
from Smethport to Kane to Warren.
“It would be a way to connect the communities to the byway and
the assets along the byway,” McKean County Commissioner Bruce
Burdick said. Burdick is a member of a group studying the proposed
designation. “There is great tourism and promotion value here.”
Also taking part in the planning and application process are
officials from Warren County, the Allegheny National Forest
Vacation Bureau, county planners from McKean and Warren counties
and representatives of the Allegheny National Forest.
The matter has been discussed at both McKean and Warren county
commissioner meetings.
Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau Executive Director
Linda Devlin said the Longhouse Scenic Byway – which is a 27-mile
circle around the Allegheny Reservoir that includes routes 321 and
a portion of 59 along with FR 262 – is currently only designated by
the U.S. Forest Service as a scenic byway.
“This is important because there are funding opportunities for
enhancements (along the byway),” Devlin said. “There are lots of
interpretation opportunities as well.”
Currently, Pennsylvania has 14 designated byways. The program is
managed through the state Department of Transportation and allows
the routes to qualify for federal funds to pay for such
improvements as paved shoulders, interpretative signs and scenic
overlooks. The designation also limits the type of outdoor
advertising that may be placed along the roads.
Burdick said during the planning process, officials discussed
which roads would be feasible for the program before deciding on
routes 59 and 321, which interconnect various municipalities and
cut through the heart of the Allegheny highlands. The byway would
also lead to U.S. Route 6, which is being promoted by the Rendell
administration for tourism.
“There would be a loop created,” Burdick said. “A person could
start at Route 59 in Warren and from there go to Smethport. Along
the way, that would hook onto the byway around the Kinzua Bridge.
In Kane through (Route) 321 would be another way to access it.
“Somebody could fly into the airport (Bradford Regional) and
head right out to the byway.”
Bradford Regional Airport is located along Route 59 in Lafayette
Township, roughly in the middle of the distance between Warren and
Smethport.
“This (designation) would enable a person to come to the county
for tourism, potentially stay here and spend money,” Burdick
said.
Officials said the proposed byway route would be as follows: the
northern entrance – Route 346 (Willow Bay) to Route 321; eastern
entrance – Route 59 (Ormsby) to Route 6-east of Warren; southern
entrance – Route 321 (Kane) to Route 59; and western entrance –
Route 6 to Route 59 junction.
According to Burdick, among the sites that could be promoted
along the byway region include the Kinzua Reservoir, the national
forest and the location of camping sites and boat launches.
“There could also be pull-off spots to view other things, such
as the mountain laurel along Route 59 into Warren. There could also
be the opportunity to talk about the history of the forest and have
picnic areas.”
Burdick said officials need to describe the value of having the
byway. “We need to put a plan together to describe the value of
doing this and what might come of it and who all the partners are.
The state likes a regional approach to things and
partnerships.”
The selection process to get a byway designated is based on
various qualities, including scenery, history, culture, archeology,
recreation and natural elements. A potential byway has to have one
or more of those qualities to be considered.
Officials said many times the local municipalities in the region
are also asked to support the measure, often just by writing a
supporting letter to the state.
If approved by the state – a likely year-long process – the
byway then appears in a brochure crafted by the state which lists
the routes. Markers designating the route as a byway would also be
installed.
Neighboring Warren County has agreed to join the effort, with
officials there probing the idea of asking about affiliating the
New York state scenic byway program with any local endeavor.
At this point, there has been no official action taken in
regards to the designation. Officials have targeted the fall of
2007 as the deadline to have the application completed and the
designation for the byway.
