By TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway has received the highest federal recognition for a roadway.

The "All-American Road" designation is the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program that Congress established in 1991. The Keys highway is the only All-American Road in Florida, and one of only 30 in the nation to have earned the prestigious title.

The designation was announced Friday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and a plaque was presented by Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

"This recognition of the highway that handles literally millions of visitors that come to the Keys annually is an exciting event," Monroe County Mayor George Neugent said in a prepared statement after the announcement.

Roads can be recognized as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. To earn All-American Road status, a roadway must possess characteristics of national significance and unique features.

The Overseas Highway follows a trail originally laid in 1912 when millionaire Henry Flagler completed the extension of his Florida East Coast Railroad from Miami to Key West. Construction of the highway began after the railroad ceased operation because of damage from a 1935 hurricane. Its foundation incorporated some of the original railway spans.

In 2001, the roadway was named a Florida Scenic Highway, laying the foundation for its national designation.

To keep it deserving of the title, Monroe County and Florida Department of Transportation officials have tried to limit the number of A-frame, sandwich-board signs in front of businesses along U.S. 1. The state and county also have partnered on several multimillion-dollar projects to build walking and bicycling paths.

The state and county also are creating a Florida Overseas Heritage Trail, a continuous running and bicycling trail from Mile Marker 0 in Key West to Mile Marker 106 in Key Largo. It is set to be completed by 2013.

"The All-American Road designation will bring status to us with international travelers and domestic visitors, so that they know driving U.S. 1 from Key Largo to Key West is a one-of-a-kind driving experience," said Judy Hull, president of the Florida Keys Scenic Corridor Alliance, which spearheaded a multiyear effort to achieve the distinction. "It will help us with tourism and future highway grant funding."

The designation will be celebrated throughout the Florida Keys on Oct. 24, with re-enactors portraying Flagler, Ernest Hemingway, former President Harry Truman and his wife, Bess.

Events will be at 9 a.m. at the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West, 10:30 a.m. at Big Pine Key Park, noon at Crane Point Hammock in Marathon, 1 p.m. at Layton City Hall, 2 p.m. at the Hurricane Monument in Islamorada, and 3:30 p.m. at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce.

tohara@keysnews.com