
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 1, 1994                   TAG: 9411010117
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BRISTOL                                 LENGTH: Medium

STATE OFFERS MAP FOR ROADS LESS TRAVELED

Craig Seaver says the Natural Tunnel State Park he manages is a hidden treasure that's hard to spot on the Virginia road map and often gets confused with the highly promoted Natural Bridge south of Lexington.

A new map of scenic roads in Virginia is designed to help tourists who like to take trips to places such as Natural Tunnel but have a hard time persuading back-seat drivers they won't get lost.

``Southwest Virginia has rugged terrain and it can be difficult to get places,'' Seaver said. ``This map will help lead folks into this area.''

The Department of Transportation this week began distributing 1.4 million of the free maps at interstate welcome centers and 35 tourist information centers around the state.

``With this map we are issuing an invitation to take the road less traveled,'' transportation department Commissioner David Gehr said during a ceremony last week at the Natural Tunnel park near the Virginia-Tennessee border.

It took 18 months to produce the Scenic Roads Map, which was paid for with a $288,000 federal grant and $74,000 in state matching funds.

Gehr said Virginia can benefit from increased tourism and by enticing visitors to stay longer. He said Virginia gains more money for highways when tourists purchase gasoline.

The map is similar to the official state map, which also is available at no charge in the tourist information and welcome centers and includes 55,000 miles of highways. The scenic map highlights the 1,200 miles of official Virginia Byways and another 1,100 miles of proposed byways while leaving out all other highways except those leading to the byways.

The map shows the state parks, recreation areas, Civil War battlefields, places to view wildlife and wilderness, wineries, and numerous historical and cultural attractions.

by CNB