JTHG Partnership to Hold Public Meetings to Review
Draft Corridor Management Plan for Route 15 in Culpeper County, Prince William
County and Loudoun County
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2008
Reach our press contact
WHAT: The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership (JTHG), the non-profit organization dedicated to raising national and local awareness of the unparalleled history along the 175-mile corridor that generally follows the Old Carolina Road from Gettysburg to Monticello, will hold public meetings to review and discuss draft recommendations for the management of portions of U.S. Route 15/20/231/22 and to nominate the route for designation as one of “America’s Byways” by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
WHO:
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership
Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, P.C., nationally recognized experts in scenic byways and heritage touring routes
WHEN/WHERE:
Culpeper County– Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m., Hazel River Armory, 179 East Davis Street, Culpeper, VA 22701
Prince William County–Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m., Brentsville County Courthouse, 12239 Bristow Road, Bristow, VA 20136
Loudoun County– Wednesday, June 4, 6 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
BACKGROUND: The purpose of each meeting is to follow-up on the ideas and suggestions made at public workshops held in September 2007 and to discuss the draft management strategies included in the Corridor Management Plan. This Plan is required by FHWA to apply for designation through the America’s Byways program and documents the goals, strategies and responsibilities for conserving and enhancing a byway’s most valuable qualities. The Plan is being prepared with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation, administered by the JTHG Partnership and prepared by a team of planning, engineering, landscape architecture and historic preservation experts led by Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects, P.C. of Alexandria, Virginia.
An Advisory Committee has been working with the planning team and the JTHG Partnership, meeting bi-monthly to assist in the development of the management strategies for the byway. The committee represents the many different viewpoints of individuals with an interest in the route: elected officials, tourism professionals, business owners, educators, landowners, farmers and citizens.
The byway planning effort involves three states. In the north it begins on U.S. Business 15 in Gettysburg. It travels through the borough of Gettysburg south to join U.S. 15 as it crosses into Maryland, through the town of Frederick, and across the Potomac into Loudoun County. In Virginia, the route follows U.S. 15 south through Leesburg, Warrenton, Culpeper, and Orange. In Orange, the byway changes to U.S. Route 20 to Route 231 near Somerset, Route 22 near Keswick then to Routes 250 and 53 in Charlottesville to Monticello.
Public input is an important criterion in determining whether or not the byway route will qualify to join the group of one hundred and twenty-six “America’s Byways” in the FHWA National Scenic Byway Program. Public input is needed to make sure that the plan accurately reflects the wishes of the communities through which the byway passes. The FHWA “America’s Byways” designation provides additional opportunities for heritage-based tourism development including additional funding opportunities for preservation and enhancement projects. An example of this designation is the Historic National Road, a six-state byway designated as an All-American Road by FHWA in 2002.
CONTACTS:
Public contact: Shelley Mastran at 703.318.0276 or
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