Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed and enacted a law allowing the state’s Department of Transportation to use its money for Route 66 signs.
The measure was part of House Bill 996. The bill contains a lot of interesting aspects, including adding more signs if necessary, markings for historical places and anti-theft measures for the signs.
MoDOT previously could not use state funds for Route 66 signs, reported KOMU-TV.
The Route 66 Maintenance and Enhancement Program allows for maintenance and repair of worn down signs and highlights historical roadside features.
The law creates the Route 66 Supplemental Signage Fund to provide the funds.
Guidelines for supplemental signage, installation and maintenance will be established by Jan. 31, 2026.
The new signs and theft prevention measures will be completed by May 30, 2026.
This is overdue. Missouri is less well-signed along Route 66 than the neighboring states of Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma, so anything that can assist novice travelers on the historic highway will help with their overall experience.
(Image of a Route 66 Historic Byway sign in Missouri by Tony Hisgett via Flickr)