Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation adding the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway into New York’s State Scenic Byways System, creating a new historic route honoring the legacy of Harriet Tubman and freedom seekers across Central and Western New York.
The first phase of the byway spans nearly 177 miles and connects 22 sites associated with Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and those who escaped enslavement. The route begins in Auburn in Cayuga County and runs west through Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, Monroe, Orleans, Niagara and Erie counties before ending in Niagara Falls.
State officials say new highway signage will soon be installed to highlight Underground Railroad landmarks along the corridor.
Governor Hochul said the designation recognizes New York’s historic role in the Underground Railroad and honors Tubman’s legacy as one of the nation’s most prominent freedom fighters.
“There is no state in the nation with a larger Underground Railroad footprint than the Empire State,” Hochul said in a statement. “Through the creation of this new scenic byway, we honor the legacy of the men and women who made this dangerous journey.”
Once fully implemented, the byway will connect visitors to major historic destinations including the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, multiple National Historic Landmarks, and sites in the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom program. Officials say the route is also expected to support heritage tourism and local economic development by directing visitors to nearby communities, businesses and cultural sites.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the department has been working for years with the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State to develop the corridor and prepare signage and interpretive materials.
The New York State Department of Transportation will oversee implementation of signage and continued development of the corridor management plan in coordination with regional partners.
