Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino today (Monday), announced the designation of three new Iowa Byways and the modification of three existing byways in the state. The three include: Bridges Byway in Madison County; White Pole Road Byway between Adair and Dexter, and, Jefferson Highway Heritage Byway between Northwood and Lamoni.

The byway changes come following the review of proposed routes for designation as Iowa Byways conducted by the Iowa Byways Advisory Council led by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). Three organizations responded to a call for applications in 2014 for new byways.  Proposals were also submitted on behalf of four existing Iowa Byways for route extensions or modifications.

The White Pole Road Byway between Adair and Dexter, just north of Interstate 80 along old U.S. Highway 6, is a piece of transportation history linking “five small towns” and events from wagon ruts and train robbery to present day. The roughly 26-mile route was formerly a part of the route known as the Great White Way is lined with 700 white painted telephone poles. It was submitted by the White Pole Road Development Corporation.

The Bridges Byway in Madison County focused on the iconic and widely known covered bridges located throughout Madison County, the 82-mile route will also feature scenic natural areas, the John Wayne birthplace, and other unique destinations.  It was submitted by the Madison County Conservation Board with the support of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Interim Madison County Scenic Byway Committee.

The Jefferson Highway Heritage Byway between Northwood and Lamoni, roughly along U.S. Highways 65 and 69, is an historic north-south U.S. border-to-border route, that was originally envisioned in 1916 as part of a national corridor for car and freight travel as the auto age developed and before the Interstate system was initiated.  It was submitted by Loring Miller (Leon) and the Jefferson Highway Association on behalf of Decatur County.

The Iowa DOT will work with the new byway applicants over the next several months to assist initiating the byway organization, finalizing the signed byway route, and creating a unique route brand that will be featured on signage to be installed along the route by the 2018 tourist season.

To learn more about Iowa Byways and to order a free Byways Travel Guide or Byway brand poster, visit www.iowabyways.org.