A bill to amend title 23 of the United States Code, to provide for the Federal funding of land and easement acquisitions and the construction and improvement of necessary roads and scenic viewing facilities in order to develop a national scenic and recreational highway program.

Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to provide assistance to the States and to Federal departments and agencies having jurisdiction over Federal lands open to the public in order to develop highways throughout the Nation to satisfy the science and recreational needs of the people, and to prove the national feasibility of such a system throughdirect Federal participation in the improvement and construction of the Great River Road and attendant facilities and to further provide for Federal participation in the celebration of the tricentennial of the discovery of the Mississippi River.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish criteria for the location and construction or reconstruction of the Great River Road by the ten States bordering the Mississippi River.

Stipulates that highways constructed or reconstructed pursuant to this Act shall be maintained by the appropraite State or local jurisdiction insofar as is consistent with this Act. Provides that the Federal share of the cost of any construction or reconstruction project shall be 80 percent.

Authorizes to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund not to exceed $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974 and 1975 for allocation to the States pursuant to the Act and not to exceed $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974 and 1975 in order to enter into appropriate arrangements for necessary construction on Federal lands open to the public.