Government workers repair a road in preparation for a project in this file photo.
Winchester, Tenn. is among six communities to get a share of more than half a million dollars in grant funding for roadway landscaping improvements, according to a state news release.
Gov. Bill Haslam and John Schroer, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, announced the funding awards today, which includes $120,000 for Winchester in Franklin County.
"Enhanced roadsides and attractive gateways create a welcoming environment for visitors and can provide a boost for local economies as we work to make Tennessee an even better place for families to live, work and play," Haslam states in the release.
Winchester will use its funding for landscaping, welcome signs and an overlook at U.S. Highway 41-A and Sharp Springs Road, according to officials.
A total of $525,690 in funding was awarded.
Other recipients included Selmer, Humbolt, Oak Hill, Berry Hill, Columbia and Metro Nashville & Davidson County.
The Tennessee Roadscapes initiative, developed in 2006 as a partnership between community organizations and TDOT, aims to create inviting spaces through an integrated approach to roadside landscaping. The state agency funds 80 percent of the cost of a project with the local government funding the remaining 20 percent.
Grants are derived from federal funds that are specifically earmarked for roadway enhancement projects.