The Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway has awarded contracts for two projects that will add a cell phone tour and interpretative signage to encourage traveler exploration of the 72-mile corridor through St. Johns and Flagler counties.

"These projects will allow travelers to learn more about the Byway as they discover A1A," said Sallie O'Hara, Administrator of the Friends of A1A, in a press release. "Five bids were received for each of the projects, which show the enthusiasm and interest in these ventures in our community."

Q Media Production, Inc. of Winter Garden was awarded a contract to design and implement an interpretive cell phone tour that will be accessible at all points along the A1A Byway by using the latest cell technology. At each of the 45 selected destinations, visitors will be able to dial a pre-recorded message featuring facts regarding the resource.

"Our team of volunteers is striving to offer little known facts about a well-known array of resources," O'Hara said. "We want the visitor to be excited to discover what few people know about our area, using our inside scoop of local knowledge."

The tour will be available to visitors in English and Spanish and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visitors are encouraged to be at the location when on their cell phones and not driving. Rack cards, maps and Web site download availability are planned.

AECOM of Orlando was awarded the second contract to prepare a plan for consolidating six existing way-finding plans into one comprehensive master plan for a Byway Way-finding Sign System.

The St. Johns County Way-finding Master Plan will serve as the model for interpretive signage, incorporating the byway logo, design, style and exact placement of directional signs, signs to byway features and orientation kiosks. At least 12 public meetings will be scheduled to encourage community input and the consultant will also meet with the two counties and the five municipalities along the byway.

"This coordinated signage system will improve visitor satisfaction and encourage traveler exploration of A1A as a 'get-a-way" place,' " O'Hara said.

Funding for both projects is being provided by grants from the Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byway Program.

Click here to read the whole article.