Senator Chuck Grassley has announced six grants worth nearly two million dollars being given to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The largest grant is worth $760,000. It’s going to the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center. The Iowa Byways Signage Program is getting $580,000 to implement a new program that will install signs on nine state byways and two national scenic byways. Grassley says the funds will help preserve Iowa byways and promote tourism opportunities for towns along the routes.
Additional info:

Loess Hills Corridor Management: $23,720 to continue the implementation of the byway’s Corridor Management Plan and to ensure long term stability and provide assistance to Byway communities. The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway travels through the western Iowa counties of Plymouth, Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont.

River Bluffs Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan: $188,800 to develop a plan that will direct future activities along the byway corridor and to conserve, enhance and promote the intrinsic qualities that make the byway unique. The River Bluffs Scenic Byway is located in Clayton and Fayette Counties in Northeast Iowa and includes parts of Highways 18, 13 and 150.

Driftless Area Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan: $175,600 to develop a plan that will guide future activities and direction along the Driftless Area Scenic Byway, which zigzags across 100 miles of roadway in Allamakee County in the extreme northeast corner of Iowa, including part of Iowa Highway 76.

Western Skies Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan: $188,800 to develop a plan to identify the intrinsic qualities that draw visitors to the corridor, and develop strategies for enhancing and protecting those qualities. The Western Skies Scenic Byway parallels I-80 starting in Stuart, Iowa and continues west to its terminus in Missouri Valley in southwestern Iowa.