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State approves U.S. 176 scenic byway extension from Lynn to Tryon 

LYNN—The North Carolina Board of Transportation approved designating the Pacolet River Scenic Byway Extension last week. 

Getting the scenic byway designated has been years in the making following the state at one time proposing to widen Highway 108 between Columbus and Tryon. 

The designation is an extension of the U.S. 176 scenic byway that goes from Tryon to Saluda. 

Kyle Cooper, PLA with the department of transportation alerted the Save 108 Committee last week of the designation. 

The department’s annual report says that the proposed scenic byway extension illustrates the rural character of southern Polk County as it passes through the broad valley of the Pacolet River and expands upon the attributes of the Pacolet River Scenic Byway by introducing additional cultural, historical and scenic qualities. 

“The gently rolling topography of the county is on view as the byway extension skirts the edge of the river valley,” states the department’s annual report. “The hillsides surrounding the proposed route are typically wooded, but open pasture and agricultural fields fill the foreground with distant views of the mountains that form the northern and western border of Polk County. The proposed out-and back route begins and ends by Harmon Field, a 36-acre park lying on the banks of the Pacolet River that has served as recreational grounds since 1928.”

The scenic byway extension is 1.2 miles going from the bridge in Lynn connecting to the Pacolet River Scenic Byway.