Scenic Road Designation

Rural roads play an important role in defining the character of Connecticut's countryside. The state has miles and miles of picturesque roadways traversing through the many varied and beautiful landscapes of Connecticut including rolling open fields, historic villages, striking rivers and streams and seaside vistas. These roads have significant natural and cultural features along their boundaries. Scenic road designation has been proven a popular tool to help preserve and protect the special rural character of designated highways and helps preserve them from modifications that would detract from their appearance, including widening, rerouting, destruction of stonewalls and mature trees. Designation has also encouraged sightseeing and tourism, as well as, maintain a sense of place and quality of life.

In Connecticut there are two types of scenic road designation: State Scenic Highway and Local Scenic Road.

The State Scenic Highway Statute governs state highways and is administered by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The Town Scenic Highway Statute authorizes municipalities to adopt scenic road ordinances to protect town roads from unwanted changes.

There is also designation by the U.S.Department of Transportation as a National Scenic Byway which recognizes certain roads as All-American or National Scenic Byways based on archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational or scenic qualities.