A scenic byway is considered to have roadsides or viewsheds with scenic, natural, cultural, historical, archaeological, and/or recreational value worthy of preservation, restoration, protection, and enhancement. Scenic highways are roads which meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidelines for highways and are state maintained as part of the state Primary Road System. The Office of Local Programs coordinates the designation of roads as state Scenic Byways, or Highways.
When the KYTC places a route on the Kentucky Scenic Byways and Highways network, the Cabinet is only designating the actual roadway and the associated declared right-of-way. Designation as a scenic route will not affect level of maintenance or the agency responsible for maintenance. The ongoing responsibility and concern shall be to ensure safety and travel service on the road.
Designation of a route as a Scenic Byway or Highway shall in no way be construed as prohibiting the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) from making transportation-Related improvements as deemed appropriate by the Cabinet.
Construction and maintenance procedures for the roads with scenic designation may be developed to reasonably provide for the safety and service of the traveling public. Projects may be accomplished by the KYTC to mitigate safety problems or improve the quality of the road. If designation as a scenic route jeopardizes public safety, the Cabinet can and will deny and/or remove the route from the Scenic Byways and Highways Program.
The Kentucky Scenic Byways and Highways program is governed by KRS 177.571-576.
A list of all the National and State Scenic Byways and Highways can be found here.
