A new musical road has been unveiled on Route 66 — this time, on the historic 11th Street Bridge that crosses the Arkansas River in Tulsa.
When a motorist drives over specially designed rumble strips on the bridge at 35 mph, one will hear the melody of Oklahoma native Woody Guthrie’s iconic song “This Land Is Your Land.”
It’s part of a multitude of projects to celebrate Route 66’s centennial this year.
Here are images from the musical road celebration by Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin:
TulsaKids Magazine produced this short video of the musical road in action:
KJRH-TV in Tulsa reported from the musical road’s dedication:
“Route 66 is an iconic piece of Tulsa’s identity, and what sets our city apart is that we not only honor The Mother Road, but also continue to bring it to life,” Mayor Nichols said. “As we approach the centennial, this new musical road reflects who we are as a city – a place where everyone belongs and where every voice helps shape our story. I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this vision a reality and for bringing a new attraction home to the capital of Route 66.”
A $90,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program, the City of Tulsa Planning Office and the Public Works Department made the musical road in Tulsa possible.
Similar musical roads exist along Route 66 in Grants and Tijeras in New Mexico, and another is planned in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, by mid-June.
(Screen-capture image from City of Tulsa video of the sign for the 11th Street Bridge musical road)