(1)    The department shall designate and mark as the “Great River Road” the route in Grant, Crawford, Vernon, La Crosse, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin and Pierce counties commencing at the Wisconsin-Illinois border and proceeding northerly on STH 35 to its junction with STH 133; then proceeding westerly on STH 133 to its junction with CTH “VV” near Cassville; then proceeding northerly on CTH “VV” to its junction with CTH “A”; then proceeding westerly on CTH “A” to its junction with CTH “X” in Bagley; then proceeding northerly on CTH “X” to its junction with CTH “C”; then proceeding easterly on CTH “C” to its junction with STH 35, with all of the preceding highways in Grant County; then proceeding northerly on STH 35 to its junction with USH 14/61 in La Crosse County; then proceeding northerly on USH 14/61 to its junction with USH 53; then proceeding northerly on USH 53 to its junction with STH 35; then proceeding northerly on STH 35 to its junction with Business 35/CTH “HD” near Holmen; then proceeding northerly on Business 35/CTH “HD” to its junction with STH 35; then proceeding northerly on STH 35 to its junction with USH 10 in Pierce County; and then proceeding westerly on USH 10 to the Wisconsin-Minnesota border.

   (2)   If the department, after investigations and studies, finds that any proposed Great River Road development is advantageous to the state, it shall have full authority to perform, on behalf of the state, each and every duty required of the state, in order to secure and complete the proposed development project. For the purposes of such development projects, the Great River Road shall be a portion of the state trunk highway system.