The National Scenic Highway Program was established by the Federal Highway Administration in 1991 as a way to showcase America’s most culturally significant and scenic roadways and to serve as an economic generator and resource conservation mechanism. To be considered for national designation, the highway must have evidence of at least two of the intrinsic resources required (cultural, archaeological, natural, historical, recreational, and scenic). Florida Scenic Highway Program, a program through the Florida Department of Transportation, was established in 1996 and offered opportunities to tap into national funds to preserve some of Florida’s most unique roadways and diverse resources.

The Florida Keys Scenic Highway, also known as The Overseas Highway, offers a truly unique experience traversing through 43 different keys with views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. As Florida’s only designated All-America Road, the highway features examples of all the intrinsic resources and serves as a destination itself. With the loss of federal funding and the National Scenic Highway program in 2012, the Overseas Highway is facing a number of threats impeding on the corridor’s scenic resources due to a lack of protection mechanisms. From billboards, intrusive utility lines, commercial development, and hurricane damage, the highway is in need of revitalization in terms of design aesthetics and protection at the state program level.

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This research study and creative project focused on incorporating green infrastructure strategies, protection mechanisms and native planting in the form of design guidelines for future improvements projects along the scenic highway.