by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:35 AM ET, Mon May 1, 2023
For travelers planning on hitting the road this summer, several
states with the historic Route 66 running through them have received federal
support to improve tourism along the iconic highway.
According to Travel
+ Leisure, the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) provided several federal grants as part of the National
Scenic Byways Program.
The money will be used to develop and enhance sites along
Route 66, focusing on future transportation and tourism trends.
“FHWA is proud to award these grants that will help make
travel safer, provide more enjoyable access, and support local businesses along
scenic byways across the country,” administrator Shailen Bhatt told Travel +
Leisure.
“Scenic routes provide myriad ways to explore the United
States, and it’s no wonder that since its inception in 1992, the National
Scenic Byways Program has received broad support from Members of Congress,
State and local officials and the public,” Bhatt continued.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the state awarded $3.7
million in funding to seven recipients for the development of tourism,
education, preservation and promotion leading up to the 100th Anniversary of
Route 66 in 2026.
In Oklahoma, the state received around $1 million to expand
the historic road with an additional lane and add eight-foot shoulders to make
the stretch of Route 66 safer for cyclists and drivers.
The improvements are part of the National Scenic Byways
Program, which awarded more than 30 grants totaling $21.8 million to improve
roads in 29 states.
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