Arkansas’ Great River Road Receives All-American Designation BY DAV ID NIL L E S
T
HE ARKANSAS SECTION OF THE GREAT RIVER ROAD, WHICH IS PART OF A NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY THAT RUNS 3,000 MILES FROM MINNESOTA DOWN TO LOUISIANA, HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN “ALLAMERICAN ROAD” BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION. Arkansas’ section of the Great River Road runs through 10
for consideration. Forty-nine byways in 28 states were designated, including 34 National Scenic Byways and 15 AllAmerican Roads. “We are honored that Arkansas’ section of the Great River Road National Scenic Byway has been named an AllAmerican Road by the Federal Highway Administration,” said Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Lorie
counties located in the eastern Arkansas Delta: Mississippi,
Tudor. “There are so many things to see and experience
Crittenden, St. Francis, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, Arkansas,
along the river road in Arkansas. The Mississippi River has
Desha, Drew and Chicot.
shaped life as we know it along our eastern border.”
To receive an All-American Road designation, a road
“The Great River Road tells the story of America’s history,”
must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally
said Kim Williams, director of Arkansas’ Great River Road.
significant and have one-of-a-kind features that do not exist
“From large cities to small river towns, through historical
elsewhere. The road or highway must also be considered a
sites and interpretive centers, the Great River Road
“destination unto itself.” That is, the road must provide an
lays out the history of our native people and immigrant
exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers
communities, the river industry and transportation,
that they would make a drive along the highway a primary
agriculture and so much more. This designation is a
reason for their trip. These roads are considered the very
wonderful testament to the importance and historical
best of America’s National Scenic Byways.
significance of Arkansas’ Delta region.”
In 2020, 63 nomination applications were submitted
28 || WWW.ArDOT.GOV/MAGAZINE
The Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC),
