Northern scenic byway moves closer to reality

The long-time effort to designate part of Wisconsin State Highway 13 a scenic byway is one step closer to becoming reality.

The 10-member Scenic Byways Advisory Committee unanimously endorsed the proposed 70-mile route between U.S. Highway 2 and Bayfield County Highway H, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

“This decision is based, in part, on the stunning views of Lake Superior combined with forested areas,” the news release said. “The route provides access to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Northwest Wildlife Refuge lands and the Chequamegon National Forest.”

The endorsement is the first step in a two-step process. The second step requires resolutions of support from governments along the corridor and developing a long-term corridor management plan.

The head of Wisconsin Department of Transportation has the final word on the proposed designation.

Is Wisconsin 13 acquires Wisconsin Scenic Byway status, communities along the route will be eligible to apply for National Scenic Byway designation, which would allow them to compete for federal grants and create marketing materials to promote the byway.

The proposed byway could include the cities of Bayfield and Washburn; Red Cliff Tribal lands; the towns of Barksdale, Bayfield, Bayview, Bell, Cloverland, Clover Port Wing, Orienta and Russell; and the unincorporated areas of Cornucopia, Herbster and Port Wing.

Wisconsin contains three scenic byways: The Door County Coastal Byway, the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and the Lower Wisconsin River Road (WIS 60).

The idea of designating part of Wisconsin 13 a scenic byway predates the 2005 formation of the Wisconsin Scenic Byway Program. In 2000 Superior Days XV delegates discussed the idea with Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials.

In 2001 the Alliance of Sustainability, the Inland Sea Society and Sigurd Olson Institute honored the effort for contributing to the region’s quality of life.

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