Byway and Backways Corridor Management Plan Final Version - March 2005

By Staunton – Parkersburg Turnpike Alliance

This project funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration, Scenic Byways Program, administered through the
West Virginia Department of Transportation, West Virginia Byways and Backways Program

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction and Vision 			1
	1-1) Statement of Purpose and Vision		2
	1-2) Goals of the Byway				3

Chapter 2 – Description and Current Conditions		4
	2-1) Byway and Backway Description			4
	2-2) Cultural Landscapes				6
	2-3) Jurisdictions and Regulations 			7

Chapter 3 – Intrinsic Quality Resources 			8
3-1) Brief History of Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike 	8
3-2) Overview of Resources					9

Chapter 4 – Preservation of Resources 			11
4-1) Preservation issues					11
4-2) Preservation tools and strategies			12
4-3) Stakeholder education, 
		involvement, and stewardship			13
4.4) Roadway improvements, upgrades, 
		and new construction possibilities		14

Chapter 5 -- Development of Resource Destinations	15
5-1) Management of resources and sites			15
5-2) Development of resource-based experiences		17

Chapter 6 – Interpretation 					20
6-1) Visitors							20
6-2) Interpretive themes					20
6-3) Interpretation challenges				22
6-4) Interpretive strategies and products			72

Chapter 7 -- The Visitors’ Experience 			25
7-1) Tourism in West Virginia				25
7-2) Users of the Byway					26
7-3) Visitor Services along the Byway			29
7-4) Development of the visitor destination		31

Chapter 8 – Signage 						35

Chapter 9 -- Administration and Management 		38
9-1) Stakeholders and public participation 		38
9-2) Management Structure and Functions			38
9-3) Funding Sources						42

Chapter 10 -- Expanding the Byway 				44
10-1) Extending along the Turnpike				44
10-2) Creating partnership with Virginia
	 section of the Corridor				44
10-3) Expanding thematically					45
10-4) Networking Statewide					46

Chapter 11 – Marketing the Byway 				47
11-1) Identifying Markets					47
11-2) Reaching the Markets					52
11-3) Elements of Marketing Communications			52
11-4) Marketing plan and budget				55
11-5) Internal marketing					55

Chapter 12 -- Economic Impact				57

Chapter 13 – Strategic Plan					59

Appendixes 
A. Route Description
B. Historic Context of the Turnpike				62
C. Intrinsic Qualities,, Assets			  	74
D. SPTA Organization						86
E. SPTA Bylaws							87