Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments (OCWCOG), working closely with a broad group of partners, assisted in the designation of Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway (Highway 34 Scenic Byway), located in the Linn, Benton, and Lincoln County Region. Last month, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced the recognition of three scenic byways, bringing the State’s total to 29. The Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway designation is an outcome of years of planning, community outreach, and research along the whole corridor and involving design, natural resource protection, economic development, safety, and community standards. Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway is located on State Highway 34, connecting I-5 to the Coast. The Region now boasts three Scenic Byways as the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway joins the Over the Rivers and Through the Woods Byway, together crossing from the Cascades to the Coast, and the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway that runs from Washington to California through Lincoln County. “Every journey has to start somewhere, so we should be proud of this first great step towards insuring that the beauty of this dynamic corridor to the sea is maintained, and that we are revitalizing and growing our communities around new opportunities,” said Councilor Dann Cutter, City of Waldport and Executive Committee Member, OCWCOG Board of Directors. “What comes next from this designation will be interesting and I hope greatly beneficial!” During the Spring/Summer of 2016, OCWCOG led public outreach efforts in communities along the Marys Peak to Pacific route and used the information in the creation of a Corridor Management Plan. A local scenic byway committee oversaw the efforts and the final Plan was presented to the State Scenic Byway Review Committee. This Committee made unanimous recommendations for three new Scenic Byways to be designated during the Winter of 2018. Last month, OCWCOG presented the Highway 34 Scenic Byway to the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Oregon Tourism Commission. The planning effort was jointly funded by the City of Waldport, Lincoln County, and OCWCOG. “My husband and I have used this Highway 34 Scenic Byway route as a preferred way to the Valley for over 20 years, and we never tire of the lovely and varied scenery along the way,” said Mayor Susan Woodruff, City of Waldport. “Philomath initiated the Highway 34 Scenic Byway designation process more than ten years ago, building the continuing partnership of entities all along the route. Despite the inevitable changes in leadership over that time, the idea and determination did not die. Having participated from the beginning, I am very pleased to see this designation finally happen!” The Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway, along with the other Byways across the State, may bring economic opportunities and additional revenue to the communities they connect. “Philomath is thrilled at the announcement that the Marys Peak to Pacific route has been approved as a Scenic Byway,” said City Manager Chris Workman, City of Philomath. For our restaurants, downtown retailers, and fuel stations the additional tourism will result in more customers stopping in Philomath before making the beautiful trip over the range and into Waldport on the Coast. To our residents, it’s an opportunity to share this wonderful, working landscape with folks from all over the world. We hope to see you on the Byway someday soon!” OCWCOG will be working with the local scenic byway committee and ODOT on route sign design, building an interpretive experience, marketing, and future enhancements to the route. Scenic byways are “singled out for the rich experience they offer when you travel along them,” stated ODOT. Once byways are designated, funding is provided for acknowledgement signs, promotional materials, and inclusion in the next publication of Oregon Scenic Byways Official Driving Guide. The links below provide specific information regarding the Byways designated last month. (Location descriptions and links are provided by ODOT): Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway – State Highway 34 that connects I-5 to the Coast by way of Corvallis to Waldport, including spurs to Mary’s Peak and Alsea Falls. McKenzie River Scenic Byway – State Highway 126, east of Eugene, that travels along the McKenzie River and connects to the existing West Cascades Scenic Byway. Tillamook Trees to Seas Scenic Byway – State Highway 6, starting in Banks in rural western Washington County, passing through Tillamook State Forest and ending at the Cape Mears peninsula. For more information about the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway or OCWCOG’s Community and Economic Development work, contact Phil Warnock, pwarnock@ocwcog.org or 541-924-8474.
