AN ANNIVERSARY: Ten years have passed since then-Gov. Edward Rendell formally recognized the section of U.S. Route 6 for its transportation heritage and history of moving resources and people across the Commonwealth. The PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor is known as the 12th Pennsylvania Heritage Area.

Long considered a popular driving destination and favorite American road trip, approximately 3.5 million people travel the 427 miles of Route 6 and 6N each year to visit the historic sites, national and state parks, artist studios, and quaint towns that resonate that authentic American feel, said officials from the PA Route 6 Alliance. Those travelers spend more than $91 million as they enjoy the scenic overlooks and breathtaking views.

“Much has been accomplished in the last ten years,” PA Route 6 Alliance executive director Terri Dennison said. “Being a scenic driving destination requires efforts to ensure that the roadway, the communities and the landscape all live up to the promise of an enjoyable road trip while celebrating the local heritage and culture that make this a special highway.”

The PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor is managed by the PA Route 6 Alliance, an organization representing private and public organizations, county and local officials, and interested stakeholders throughout the 11 counties linked by the scenic highway: Crawford, Erie, Warren, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike. 

The Alliance’s mission is the focused on efforts to preserve, enhance and promote the transportation heritage of one of the nation’s first transcontinental highways; to sustain and enhance the small rural communities linked by the highway; and to preserve and enhance the natural, scenic beauty of one of America’s favorite “road trips.”

And over the last decade, several programs outlined in the management action plan have been implemented to preserve and enhance the Route 6 corridor.

In 2008, mile markers with the “Do 6” trademark were installed across the route from west to east with the goal of providing travelers with a sense of distance between attractions and businesses. 

Since 2000, the PA Route 6 Alliance has supported a corridor-wide initiative to help local artisan and crafters make a living while creating their masterpieces without leaving their homes. The PA Route 6 Artisan Trail is a network for local artisans to share ideas and best practices.

Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, had this to say: “PA Route 6 is now established as a tourism brand and is a favorite drive to destination. Thousands of visitors annually travel Route 6 in McKean County, staying at our local hotels and bed and breakfasts, eating at our local restaurants and spending their dollars in our retail shops.”