The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway is a linked series of park areas in Minneapolis , Minnesota , United States, that takes a roughly circular path through the city. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board developed the system over many years. The corridors include roads for automobile traffic plus separate paths for pedestrians and bicycles, and extend slightly into neighboring cities. About 50 miles (80 km) of roadway and paths are in the system, and much of it was built in the 1930s as part of Civilian Conservation Corps projects.
17-483: There are seven districts along the byway: The Grand Rounds trail system features approximately 50 miles (80 km) of off-street paths for bicycles and pedestrians that make a continuous loop around Minneapolis. The area was designated as a Minnesota State Scenic Byway in 1997 and a National Scenic Byway in 1998. The Grand Rounds are considered to be the most significant example of an urban byway, as most such areas run through rural regions. Portions are also part of
34-432: A National Scenic Byway a road must have one of six intrinsic qualities. To be designated an All-American Road, a road must have at least two of the six qualities. A corridor management plan must also be developed, with community involvement, and the plan "should provide for the conservation and enhancement of the byway's intrinsic qualities as well as the promotion of tourism and economic development". The plan includes, but
51-565: Is not limited to: Corridor management plans for All-American Roads must also include: The final step is when the highway (or highways) is approved for designation by the United States Secretary of Transportation . United States Secretary of Transportation The United States secretary of transportation is the head of the United States Department of Transportation . The secretary serves as
68-747: The Federal Highway Administration , the Federal Railroad Administration , and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . As of January 2021, the secretary receives an annual salary of $ 221,400. Pete Buttigieg has served as the secretary of transportation since February 3, 2021. He was confirmed by the United States Senate by a vote of 86–13 on February 2, 2021. Buttigieg is
85-536: The Great River Road along the Mississippi River. The city purchased all the land immediately adjoining its lakes during its formative period, turning them into public parks rather than allowing them to be privately developed. Because of this, Minneapolis' lakes are accessible by the general public. Heavy vehicles such as semi-trailer trucks and buses are largely banned from the byway, and
102-589: The United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. As of January 21, 2021, there are 184 National Scenic Byways located in 48 states (all except Hawaii and Texas ). The NSBP was established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which provided $ 74.3 million in discretionary grants. On May 18, 1995, FHWA specified
119-431: The designation on January 19, 2021, of 34 new roads as National Scenic Byways, in addition to 15 new All-American Roads. National Scenic Byways go through a nomination procedure. They must already be designated state scenic byways to be nominated (However, roads that meet all criteria for national designation but not state designation may be considered for national designation on a case-by-case basis). For designation as
136-477: The environment, and the national defense." The first secretary of transportation was Alan S. Boyd , nominated to the post by Democratic president Lyndon B. Johnson. Ronald Reagan 's second secretary of transportation, Elizabeth Dole , was the first female holder, and Mary Peters was the second. Gerald Ford 's nominee William Thaddeus Coleman Jr. was the first African American to serve as transportation secretary, and Federico Peña , serving under Bill Clinton ,
153-516: The first openly gay man to hold the position, the first openly gay Cabinet secretary and the youngest person to serve as secretary of transportation. The post was created on October 15, 1966, by the Department of Transportation Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson . The department's mission is "to develop and coordinate policies that will provide an efficient and economical national transportation system, with due regard for need,
170-519: The intrinsic qualities that would serve as criteria for designating road as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads. In September U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Peña announced the first 14 National Scenic Byways and six All-American Roads. On June 9, 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) provided $ 148 million to states so they could develop state roads to take advantage of
187-568: The principal advisor to the president of the United States on all matters relating to transportation. The secretary is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States , and is fourteenth in the presidential line of succession . The secretary of transportation oversees the U.S. Department of Transportation, which has over 55,000 employees and thirteen agencies , including the Federal Aviation Administration ,
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#1732776295237204-490: The program. On August 10, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which provided $ 175 million to states and Indian tribes. On October 16, 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood designated 37 new roads as National Scenic Byways and five new All-American Roads. The U.S. Department of Transportation approved
221-551: The speed limit is 25 miles per hour throughout. Thanks to the low speed limit, motorcycle riders enjoy riding through the parkway system. Much of the asphalt paving along the road has a reddish tone so that drivers can more easily determine where to go upon reaching intersections . National Scenic Byway A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program
238-466: The youngest secretary, taking office at 39 years 3 months old, while Norman Mineta was the oldest, retiring at age 74. In April 2008, Mary Peters launched the official blog of the secretary of transportation called The Fast Lane . On January 23, 2009, the 16th secretary, Ray LaHood , took office, serving under the administration of Democrat Barack Obama ; he had previously been a Republican congressman from Illinois for fourteen years. Anthony Foxx
255-449: Was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Some scenic byways are designated All-American Roads , which must meet two out of the six intrinsic qualities. The designation means they have features that do not exist elsewhere in
272-928: Was the 17th U.S. secretary of transportation from 2013 to 2017, when Barack Obama was president. Elaine Chao , who served as the secretary of labor under President George W. Bush , was nominated by Donald Trump on November 29, 2016. On January 31, 2017, the Senate confirmed her appointment by a vote of 93–6. On January 7, 2021, Chao announced her resignation following the January 6 United States Capitol attack , effective January 11. On January 11, 2021, acting deputy secretary of transportation Steven G. Bradbury became acting secretary of transportation. Democratic (8) Republican (11) Status Denotes acting Secretary of Transportation – – The line of succession regarding who would act as Secretary of Transportation in
289-462: Was the first Hispanic to hold the position, subsequently becoming the secretary of energy . Japanese-American Norman Mineta , who had previously been the secretary of commerce , is the longest-serving secretary, holding the post for over five and a half years, and Andrew Card is the shortest-serving secretary, serving only eleven months. Pete Buttigieg is the youngest secretary, taking office at 39 years 15 days old, overtaking Neil Goldschmidt as
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