Ribbon Cut for PA Route 6- Pennsylvania’s Newest Scenic Byway!

Over 100 community leaders, partners, and residents gathered in Coudersport on October 30, 2025, to celebrate a major milestone: the designation of Pennsylvania Route 6 as an official Pennsylvania Scenic Byway. The event, hosted by the PA Route 6 Alliance, marked the culmination of years of collaboration to recognize and protect the natural and historic beauty of one of the Commonwealth’s most beloved highways.

The event featured remarks from regional and state leaders who reflected on the legacy and future of historic Route 6. Originally scheduled for outdoors, the ceremony was held inside the Gunzburger Building due to inclement weather, with the ribbon-cutting taking place outside along Route 6.

Dan Glotz, Warren County Commissioner and President of the PA Route 6 Alliance Board of Directors, welcomed the crowd of approximately 125 attendees and praised the achievement as a collective success for all communities along the corridor.

This marks Pennsylvania’s 24th Scenic Byway and its longest by far. For the PA Route 6 Alliance, achieving Scenic Byway status fulfills a long-standing goal tied to its mission of scenic conservation and heritage preservation.

Terri Dennison, founding executive director of the Alliance and now Small Business Center Director at Bladen Community College in North Carolina made the trip to Coudersport for the ceremony and reflected on the organization’s history and early vision. “When I left Route 6, I knew I left it in good hands, but I left with one regret. We never got byway designation. This designation opens many doorways while maintaining the scenic beauty of the corridor.”

“We are extremely grateful for the support and collaboration from communities along the corridor, including PennDOT, local municipalities, and regional leaders,” said Candace Hillyard, Executive Director of the PA Route 6 Alliance. “This designation is the result of years of dedicated work by the Alliance and our partners. It’s not just about protecting the beauty of the landscape. It’s about creating lasting opportunities for the communities that call this corridor, home.”

The newly designated section spans 211 miles through Warren, McKean, Potter, and Tioga counties, encompassing the main roadway as well as extensions and offsets of U.S. Route 6. The corridor passes through 34 municipalities, all of which passed resolutions in support of the designation, underscoring widespread, regional commitment to preserving the scenic and cultural integrity of the Route 6 corridor.

It was this grassroots approach that Mark Falzone, President of Scenic America, praised, noting how PA Route 6 took the national title in Scenic America’s annual “America’s (unofficial) Favorite Byway” contest in the first year it was eligible. Falzone said, “Route 6 was just designated, and who’s in it, but Route 6 versus the Blue Ridge Parkway (a perennial favorite). It shows how committed you all are. This is a bottom’s-up process. The people showed up.”

The Scenic Byway designation is reserved for corridors that exhibit exceptionality in at least one of the following qualities: historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, recreational, and scenic qualities. PA Route 6 qualifies across the board. The scenic viewsheds are key, and Route 6’s spanning vistas are exceptional. Businesses along the corridor can proudly display their on-premise signage, and PennDOT’s review of off-premise signs helps ensure that signage enhances and preserves the byway’s scenic charm.

The stretch of Route 6 across northern Pennsylvania includes some of the state’s most iconic destinations, including the Allegheny National Forest, Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and 22 state parks. Mark Palerino, Division Chief of Recreation & Conservation Partnerships at the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), highlighted the broader economic impact: “Outdoor recreation is a $19 billion industry in Pennsylvania.”

Byway designation highlights and celebrates the region’s natural beauty while boosting local economies through expanded tourism and marketing opportunities.

Between the outdoor recreational opportunities, smalltown charm, rich industrial culture, and historic hideaways along the corridor, tourism has played a key role in Route 6’s economy. Colleen Hanson, Executive Director of Visit Potter-Tioga, celebrated the marketing potential of the new status: “I’m thrilled to have yet another tool in the toolbox to market this.”

Potter County Commissioner Paul Heimel reminisced about Route 6’s resilience in the face of change: “When Interstate 80 opened, we worried people would forget about us. But this designation proves they haven’t, and that an even brighter future lies ahead.”

Sentiments were shared on the qualities of Route 6 beyond just a means of transportation. Tamara Bleggi, representing State Senator Cris Dush, remarked, “This isn’t just a road. It’s a path for photographers… It’s great for tourists and businesses.” Sarah Collier, Executive Director of the National Road Heritage Corridor and President of Heritage PA, summed it up simply: “Route 6 isn’t just a road. It’s a living story.”

Keynote speaker, PennDOT Secretary Michael Carroll wrapped up the ceremony neatly with a bow, or rather, a ribbon, saying, “With the Scenic Byway designation, the four-county region is receiving the recognition it deserves. The Byways program will be a boon to tourism in the region and help local communities preserve what makes the area so special.” ­

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA SCENIC BYWAY PROGRAM

The Pennsylvania Scenic Byway Program, managed by PennDOT, recognizes and promotes corridors with outstanding scenic, cultural, recreational, natural, and historic qualities. Byway status enhances opportunities for tourism, economic development, and scenic conservation, ensuring that Pennsylvania’s most beautiful roadways remain preserved for generations to come.

ABOUT THE PA ROUTE 6 ALLIANCE

The PA Route 6 Alliance, a 501(c3) corporation, was established in 2003 to manage the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor and to implement the Management Action Plan, branding and marketing plans, community development programs, and other planning efforts along the corridor. The Alliance includes representatives from all 11 counties, 9 convention and visitor bureaus, 4 heritage areas, local development districts, local business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and other interested parties along the corridor.

Through the leadership of the PA Route 6 Alliance, citizens from 11 counties are joining together to preserve, enhance and promote the treasured resources that contribute to their shared sense of place. Using the corridor’s strategic Management Action Plan as their guide, they are initiating heritage tourism development strategies that will build more sustainable local economies and enhance the quality of life in every community along Pennsylvania Route 6.

For more information about PA Route 6 Alliance visit www.paroute6.com, by emailing info@paroute6.com, or calling 814-435-7706.