The Secretary shall establish within the Department a program to be known as the Delaware Byways Program (hereinafter referred to as “byways program,” or “program”) to encourage and coordinate state actions and the activities of others which relate to the development, protection, promotion, operation and management of byways. In order to carry out the purposes of the program, the Secretary is authorized to:
(1) Plan, design and develop the Delaware byways system and to designate such highways as the Department may deem appropriate as “Delaware Byways.” The process for such designation shall ensure that Delaware byways are selected and managed through a process that balances equity for property owners with the desire of the community to have a specific highway designated under this program;
(2) Ensure to the extent possible that all byway designations are continuous;
(3) Make safety improvements to a highway designated as a byway under this article to the extent such improvements are necessary to accommodate increased or reduced traffic as well as any changes necessary as a result of the types of vehicles using the highway due to such designation;
(4) Construct along such byways such improvements as may be necessary for the use and enjoyment of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists;
(5) Improve the highway to enhance access to areas utilized for the purpose of recreation, including but not limited to youth-related activities and water-related recreation;
(6) Protect scenic, historical, natural, archaeological and cultural resources in areas adjacent to the highway;
(7) Develop and provide tourist information to the public, including interpretive information about the byway;
(8) Apply for funding from any appropriate source to further the purposes of the program, including but not limited to federal grants or private contributions; and
(9) Enter into contracts with qualified and responsible not-for-profit organizations involved in byway activities for services relating to the development of the byways program or services relating to the operation, development or promotion of a specific byway.