The American Society of Civil Engineers recently designated Route 66 as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
ASCE’s board approved the designation on July 10 in recognition of the highway’s centennial and its lasting contributions to American infrastructure and civil engineering.
Initially established in 1926, Route 66 was the first paved, all-weather highway to connect the Midwest with the West Coast, transforming regional and national transportation. The route became a symbol of freedom, opportunity and American ingenuity, an enduring cultural touchstone and engineering triumph.
This NHCEL designation comes just ahead of the Route 66 centennial in 2026. The nomination was jointly submitted by 10 ASCE Sections representing the eight states along the historic route: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
In addition, 15 specific locations along Route 66 have been highlighted as notable civil engineering features for their technical significance, historical value, and contribution to the route’s functionality and legacy. The Fifteen Notable Features of Route 66 include:
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (crossing the Mississippi River of Illinois and Missouri)
- Meramec River Bridge (near Eureka, Missouri)
- Brush Creek Bridge (Riverton, Kansas)
- 11th Street Arkansas River Bridge (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
- Bridge #18 at Rock Creek (Sapulpa, Oklahoma)
- Bridgeport Pony Bridge (Bridgeport, Oklahoma)
- Bridge over the Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railroad (Texas)
- Route 66, SH 207 to Interstate 40 (Conway, Texas)
- Realignment of Route 66 Santa Fe Loop in New Mexico
- Rio Puerco Bridge (New Mexico)
- Querino Canyon Bridge (Arizona)
- Route 66 in Mojave County (Arizona)
- Old Trails Bridge at Topock (crossing Colorado River of Arizona and California)
- Colorado Street Bridge (Pasadena, California)
- Arroyo Seco Parkway (Los Angeles)
The ASCE’s Historic Civil Engineering Landmark program, established in 1964, recognizes civil engineering achievements that have made a significant contribution to the development of society. Designated landmarks are preserved through public awareness and documentation in guidebooks, encyclopedias and maps, ensuring these feats of engineering are honored for generations to come.
Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and a Route 66 Centennial commissioner, said, “This designation is more than a tribute to a road — it’s a recognition of the transformative power of civil engineering in shaping America. Route 66 wasn’t just built with concrete and steel; it was built with vision and determination. It connected communities, drove economic growth, and inspired generations of travelers. To have Route 66 honored as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark during its Centennial is both fitting and deeply meaningful.”
(Image of the Rio Puerco Bridge in New Mexico by Thomas Hawk via Flickr)