The state Scenic Byways Committee will submit grant applications Friday seeking $1.25 million in federal funding for 11 projects.
Top priority among those projects is a proposal to improve signage along U.S. Highway 6-191 near Price and Helper, informing motorists that dinosaur artifacts are on display nearby at the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry.
That stretch of highway represents the southwestern side of the Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway, a diamond-shaped configuration of highways that link Vernal, Price, Moab and Delta, Colo. It is one of Utah's seven national scenic byways. There are also 23 state scenic byways.
"All of these projects enhance the quality of experience for tourists," said Kathy Hanna-Smith, Castle Country Travel Region executive director and one of the committee members who spent a day prioritizing funding requests. "We're hoping we get the money we're looking for."
It's unlikely all of the requests will be granted.
Last year, nine Utah scenic byway projects received $346,000 in matching grant money from the Federal Highway Administration. In the program's 18 years, 115 Utah proposals have received just under $8 million in funding, or about $444,000 annually.
The Federal Highway Administration "always receives more applications than there is available funding," said Utah Office of Tourism spokeswoman Tracie Cayford, noting that $43.5 million is available nationwide this year. "Competition for the funding is more competitive as notoriety of the program has increased."
This year's request is accompanied by pledges of local matches of $449,305, bringing the total cost of the projects to $1.7 million.
The Dinosaur Diamond byway was the subject of two requests. Along with signage, another $184,800 is being sought for an interpretive center along the byway. But that project came in ninth on the priority list.
Second on that list was a signage project along the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway. Similar projects, which usually involve roadside kiosks where interpretive information is provided, are being submitted for the Energy Loop National Scenic Byway in Emery and Carbon counties and the Provo Canyon scenic byway.
Funding requests have been submitted to upgrade facilities, such as restrooms or picnic areas, along the Trail of the Ancients national scenic byway in southeastern Utah, Legacy Highway and in Logan Canyon. Funds also are being sought for a corridor management plan for Zion Park and for a Trail of the Ancients' brochure.
