Loess Hills Scenic Byway Looks to Upgrade

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icejammer
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Loess Hills Scenic Byway Looks to Upgrade

Post by icejammer »

Grant raises hopes for Loess road upgrade
Officials with the Loess Hills Scenic Byway are hoping a recent federal grant will help them make the jump from a Scenic Byway to an All-American Road.

The Loess Hills road received $361,966 in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The National Scenic Byway program recognizes roads that feature beautiful scenery and have historical or cultural significance. Corridors that are named All-American Roads are expected to have numerous unique qualities.

There are 99 National Scenic Byways and 27 All-American Roads in 44 states.
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Coyote
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Post by Coyote »

That would be sweet. I would hope that Nebraska could get at least one road named a byway sometime.

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icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

Maybe if Nebraska were more scenic, Coyote. :wink: :wink: :wink:
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edsas
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Post by edsas »

I thought Highway 2, Big Mac to Bridgeport and Pine Ridge were already designated as scenic byways...
loyalomahan
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Post by loyalomahan »

If scenic is wall to wall corn, then Iowa wins hands down. Fortunately, Nebraska still has some NATURAL scenery left.

And maybe some day Iowa will have a National Scenic River like Nebraska. ;)

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icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

edsas, I believe those are state designated scenic byways, but not so-named by the National Scenic Byway people, which is probably what Coyote was referring to.

And loyalomahan, I would imagine that, in time, the Upper Iowa will be designated a National Wild and Scenic River, just like the Niobrara. Just like some of Nebraska's byways will become National Scenic Byways someday. And, of course, Iowa has plenty of natural scenery, just different than Nebraska's - doesn't make one better than the other, I just appreciate it all, and hope you do as well.
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icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

Archaeologists to study Loess Hills sites
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway Council, led by Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development, a nonprofit organization based in Oakland, has enlisted the aid of the University of Iowa's Office of the State Archaeologist to identify important cultural resources and consider ways to protect and interpret them for the future.

Over the next year a team of two-dozen archaeologists and architectural historians from the university will revisit known archaeological, architectural and historic sites while documenting new ones.

"They are going to find out if the Loess Hills are a special area," said Kathy Kahue, coordinator for the Loess Hills Nature Scenic Byway Council. "And to prove the area is significant."

She hopes the findings will help in the All-American Road application process. . . .

A public meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, at the Council Bluffs Public Library at 7 p.m. to explain the project in more detail and recruit local assistance.

"We want to give the community an opportunity to share their knowledge of the area," Kahue said. "We are interested in hearing from people where artifacts might be or artifacts they may have collected over the years." . . .
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StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Going back to some of the original discussion, Nebraska has SEVERAL scenic byways, all of which are gorgeous...and scenic.  I don't know where the above map is from, or why Nebraska is not featured.

Are there national and state byways, like national and state parks?
icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Are there national and state byways, like national and state parks?
Yes, here's a link: National Scenic Byways
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StreetsOfOmaha
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Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Thanks for clearing that up.

Anyway, there are CERTAINLY scenic byways in Nebraska deserving of "national" status.
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Big E
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Post by Big E »

It's pretty amazing how much the topography changes just within Omaha and Douglas County.
Stable genius.
Erik
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Post by Erik »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Thanks for clearing that up.

Anyway, there are CERTAINLY scenic byways in Nebraska deserving of "national" status.

There is some areas of the state that are very scenic to view as you're driving.. Just get off of interstate-80 and you will be surprised that you've just been driving in a very long river valley and that the entire drive through the state was just a few miles from some very nice topography.
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