A new musical road on Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, recently went online, but not at the spot originally planned.
The rumble strips that sound out the melody of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” while being driven over at a certain speed were installed on the east side of town, not the west side as once envisioned.
The print edition of The Communicator newspaper in Santa Rosa reported:
According to the city’s Community Development coordinator, Heather Dostie, the pavement on the west side of town is about 50 years old, and it “disintegrated” in the process of stamping the rumble strips in place, so the project was moved to the east side late last week, where the pavement is about 20 years old.
The rumble strips are now installed on the westbound shoulder of Historic Route 66, running about a quarter mile from just west of the Hampton Inn to just past Bozo’s Garage. By the end of Tuesday, the project appeared complete except for the signage directing travelers on how to “ride” the rumble strips and bring out the song.
Melissa Lea Beasley-Lea recently had the chance to drive on the musical rumble strips:
Santa Rosa’s musical road was paid for with a $60,000 grant from New Mexico Tourism. San Bar Construction did the work.
Other musical roads on Route 66 are in Tijeras, New Mexico; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Winslow, Arizona.
(Image of the musical road sign along Route 66 in Tijeras, New Mexico)