Media Contact
Sherry Quamme, Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission, squamme@centurytel.net, www.wigrr.com, (920) 210-4560
The Wisconsin Great River Road National Scenic Byway has been awarded the designation as an “All American Road” by the US Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All American Roads based on their intrinsic qualities that include archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities. In order to be considered a National Scenic Byway a road is determined by a panel of experts to have at least one of the intrinsic qualities and be often what is considered, “roads less traveled”. In order to reach the “All American Road” status, the drive must be a tourism attraction unto itself. With multiple intrinsic qualities and one-of-a-kind features that can be found nowhere else.
“The Wisconsin Great River Road is such a special place with so many unbelievably inspiring places and people. This is such an honor to have the Wisconsin Great River Road take its place as one of only 15 All American Roads in the country. Proving its uniqueness and unparalleled travel experience.” said Sherry Quamme, Chair of the Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission.
Wisconsin Great River Road (All American Road) – Covers 250 miles in Wisconsin and passes through 33 Mississippi River towns along WIS 35. It had been Wisconsin’s only National Scenic Byway and was often called “The best drive in the Midwest.” The route connects to 10 other state routes as it follows the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Learn about the WI Great River road at its website.
Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Scenic Byway and Door County’s Coastal Byway joined the Wisconsin Great River Road as National Scenic Byways in yesterday’s announcement. However, the Wisconsin Great River Road now stands alone as Wisconsin’s only All American Road.
National Scenic Byways Foundation – More information can be found regarding the Byways program at the National Scenic Byways Foundation website. “The National Scenic Byway Foundation is the National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads; Byway experts who are working to strengthen Byways, advocating for Byway funding, and promoting increased awareness of Byways throughout the nation.”
