Tennessee State Route 181

Infobox road
state=TN
type=Dual
route=181
alternate_name=Great River Road
maint=TDOT
length_mi=25.10
length_round=
length_ref=
established=
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=jct|state=TN|Secondary|88 at Hales Point, TN
junction=jct|state=TN|Secondary|104 near Heloise, TN
jct|state=TN|I|155|US|412 Exit 2 near Ayers, TN
jct|state=TN|Secondary|103 at Tennemo, TN
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=jct|state=TN|TN|79 near Cottonwood Grove, TN
counties=Lauderdale, Dyer, Lake
previous_type=Secondary
previous_route=180
next_type=Secondary
next_route=182

State Route 181 abbreviated (SR 181) is a primary state highway running through Lake, Dyer, and Lauderdale counties. This highway traverses very sparsely populated areas and is located entirely within the flood plains of the Mississippi River, Obion River and Forked Deer River. SR 181 is constructed as a modern 2-lane facility with paved shoulders and a 55MPH speed limit throughout its length. Prior to its designation as a state highway (and subsequent raising of the levee), it was a narrow gravel road. It is constructed atop the "Big Levee" in Dyer County and is used as a primary defense against floodwaters from the Mississippi River itself, however, floodwaters from the Obion River often back up on the eastern side of the levee. This highway doesn't pass through any municipalities or unincorporated communities. The area is a popular destination for fisherman and hunters.

Counties Traversed (South to North)

SR 181 traverses the following counties shown in the table below.

Counties traversed by State Route 181

County	miles
Lauderdale	0.4
Dyer	21.9
Lake	2.8

Miscellaneous Notes

The entire length of SR 181 is signed as the Great River Road and also carries a Tennessee Scenic Parkway designation. State maps show this highway as carrying both a primary and secondary designation, however, in the field the entire route is signed as a Primary state route.

References

* [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us Tennessee Department of Transportation]
* [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co48.pdf Lake County Highway Map]
* [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co23.pdf Dyer County Highway Map]
* [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/Maps/county/co49.pdf Lauderdale County Highway Map]