Release Date: May 06, 2004 
Contact: Bob Felt 888-304-6368
 

MDOT partners with Rep. Sheltrown on US-23 Heritage Route designation as "Sunrise Side Coastal Highway"
May 6, 2004 – Following two and a half years of planning, State Representative Dale Sheltrown (D-West Branch) and Michigan Department of Transportation officials today announced that US-23 from Standish to Mackinaw City has received official designation as a State Recreational Heritage Route. The name of the new route is the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway.

"This new designation further enhances our ability to make Michigan a magnet for attracting new businesses to the region plus offers a unique quality of life for those that choose to live and work in northeast Michigan, said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff.

"This 200-mile stretch of US-23 truly showcases the natural beauty of our Lake Huron shoreline." Heritage Route designation is intended to boost tourism to the region through enhanced marketing and access to improvement grants. Signs will appear on US-23 to indicate the route and it will be indicated on future state highway maps. Designation will not impact local zoning or any possible future expansion and/or repair plans for US-23.

"I have heard a tremendous amount of public support for the Heritage Route," said Sheltrown. "Not one negative comment was submitted during the public comment period. Northeast Michigan understands how important tourism is to our region's economy and designation of US-23 as a heritage route is an important step in promoting the diversity of attractions the Sunrise Side has to offer visitors."

Initiated by Rep. Sheltrown and Tom Ferguson of Michigan's Sunrise Side Travel Association in the summer of 2001, the process began with the collection of resolutions of support from local units of government along the route. Northeast Michigan Council of Governments and East Michigan Planning & Development were contracted to develop a management plan for the route with the guidance and advice of local volunteers.

Officials are hosting three designation ceremonies to be held May 21 at 9:00 a.m. in Standish; 11 a.m. in East Tawas; and 3:30 p.m. in Harrisville. Members of the general public are invited to attend.

NOTE: Questions regarding the ceremonies should be directed to Tom Ferguson at 989-469-4544.