Three Louisiana routes get federal designations

BATON ROUGE, La. — The state tourism office says three scenic Louisiana automobile routes have received special designations from the Federal Highway Administration.

The Bayou Teche Byway in south Louisiana and the Boom or Bust Byway in north Louisiana have been labeled as National Scenic Byways by the federal agency. And the Great River Road in Louisiana has been given the agency’s All-American

Road designation.

The Bayou Teche Byway winds through south Louisiana from Morgan City to Arnaudville, covering 183 miles. The Boom or Bust Highway covers 137 miles from Homer to Vivian, highlighting several towns that grew out of the railroad, cotton or oil industries.

Several museums on the byway tell the histories of the towns.

The River Road runs through 10 states. The

Louisiana section starts near the mouth of the Mississippi River and follows the river through southeast Louisiana and up the northeastern state line.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said in Thursday’s tourism news release that the designations will help entice tourists to take road trips in the state. “These visitors will have a tremendous impact on the economies of these local communities throughout the state,” Nungesser said.