Our 7th Annual Benefit Concert is this Sunday, June 18! more info

Mission
To preserve and protect the unique rural character, the natural environment, and the heritage of the Route 340 corridor from Front Royal to Waynesboro.

Background
A grass roots, non-profit citizens group, Scenic 340 was formed in 1999 to oppose a VDOT plan to widen Route 340 to four and five lanes from Front Royal to Luray. The group is dedicated to changing road-building policy at the state level. More

Goals
• Identify cultural and historical sites along the corridor.
• Protect scenic views and air quality along Route 340 and from Skyline Drive
• Identifying threatened or engaged species.
• Protect the fragile Karst geology and ground water quality.
• Foster economic development through heritage tourism and by protecting productive farmland.
• Work with local governments to advance land use planning tools.

Context Sensitive Solutions(CSS)
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) allows for flexible design of roadways to help sustain important community interests without compromising safety. It is promoted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Rather than an out-dated "bigger-is-better" approach to road building, CSS uses input from everyone who has a stake in how the road is built. This process can result in environmentally kinder roads and finished products that local citizens are proud of. Scenic 340 promotes CSS as a policy in Virginia through a range of initiatives. More

Land Conservation
Scenic 340 works with landowners as well as local and state governments to preserve and protect rural lands, using two primary tools. Conservation easements and agricultural districts allow landowners to permanently protect their property, even if the land is sold or inherited. Both options are binding legal agreements with local governments that restrict new development.

Scenic 340 has helped bring over 1000 acres under permanent conservation easement in the Overall area, in both Warren and Page Counties. A new agricultural/forestal district has recently been established in south Warren County, as well as a new Rural Historic District which runs from south of Bentonville all the way to Luray. This is the largest Historic District in the state.

Learn more about conservation options for landowners from the Valley Conservation Council.

Route 340 Expansion Abandoned
Largely due to a shortage of funds, VDOT has presently abandoned the expansion of Route 340 from two lanes to four lanes. The first bridge scheduled for replacement is the Overall Bridge on the Page/Warren County line. Under pressure from Scenic 340 Project, and with input from the Department of Historic Resources,VDOT modified the design of this bridge to be more respectful to the newly listed Milford Civil War Battlefield at Overall and to the riverscape of the Shenandoah River. The Overall Bridge Project is in the initial stages of construction and Scenic 340 remains an active participant with VDOT. Scenic 340 Project also supports other safety and mobility improvements to Route 340. More

Milford Civil War Battlefield Book
The Milford Battle at Overall, which took place at and around the Overall Bridge, played a significant role in the Civil War and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, Scenic 340 published a book by a local Civil War expert on the history of the battle and its context in the war. Read the Scenic 340 press release about the book.

Annual Benefit Concert
This year's concert will be held on June 18th on the banks of the Shenandoah River, and will feature the NightHawks along with other local musicians. Contact us for more details.

More information

Annual Benefit Concert June 18! See the flyer

Contact Scenic 340 rojroject

Fred Andreae, President
Jennifer Keck, Executive Director
Scenic340@earthlink.net
P.O. Box 340
Bentonville, VA 22610
540-622-6340

Documents

Read the Scenic 340 brochure on CSS.

Read Scenic 340's Editorial on Proposed Centex Development

Links

Valley Conservation Council

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation

Virginia Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Land under conservation easement in Warren County