Western New York’s only state scenic byway, the Southtowns Scenic Byway, has won a grant that will provide interpretive signs along the roads making up the byway.

“It’s a nice thing. This is a beautiful part of Western New York,” said Hal Morse, executive director of the Greater Buffalo- Niagara Regional Transportation Council.

The $66,464 federal grant from the National Scenic Byway Program will provide the design for directional and interpretive signs throughout the route, as well as maps and brochures.

New York State designated the byway in 2008. It is a loop that includes sections of Routes 219, 277, 39, 240 and 20A through the towns of Orchard Park, Boston, Aurora, Colden and Concord.

“The whole goal is to make the traveler’s experience more interesting and more worthwhile,” said Robert J. Lennartz, president of the WNY Southtowns Scenic Byway.

The grant, which is the first one the group applied for, has a local match of $16,616. Lennartz said that the matching funds are being raised in the community and that municipalities have been very supportive.

The byway committee has identified 13 historic places and nine parks that are included in it.

The signs also will identify cultural, natural and agricultural resources of the area as well as traveler amenities, according to the transportation council.

“Once the signage goes up to mark the route, then I would have a better chance to increase public awareness,” Lennartz said.

bobrien@buffnews.comnull