A new Muffler Man -- a 19-foot-tall miner named Frecs -- recently was erected on old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. The Muffler Man isn't 100 percent done. He still needs touch-ups after a weld broke on his supporting frame, and his boots needed to be finished. Regardless, it stands just west of the historic … Continue reading New Muffler Man named Frecs erected on old Route 66 in Galena
Category: Bridges
Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million
An engineering firm estimated it would cost at least $2.5 million to rehabilitate the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. Sparks Engineering of San Antonio issued a 16-page structural evaluation of the historic Route 66 bridge, which has been closed since December 2014. The Missouri Department of Transportation has stated it would tear down … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million
Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue “urgent call to action”
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issued an "urgent call to action" because the historic bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, is in "imminent danger" of demolition if a new owner isn't found by spring. Here's the message this week on the group's Facebook page that urges letters from Route 66 enthusiasts, urging the Missouri Department … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardians issue “urgent call to action”
Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today
Take a bunch of pictures, folks. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin a project today to eventually replace and remove the historic Horse Creek Bridge near Afton. The Miami News-Record in nearby Miami, Oklahoma, has the story: Public hearings were heard in 2016 regarding the Horse Creek Bridge, which was built in 1936 and … Continue reading Work to replace Horse Creek Bridge in Afton begins today
Tulsa Route 66 group advocates repairing, reopening 11th Street Bridge
While a lot of talk percolated about it in recent years, the Tulsa Route 66 Commission recently made it official -- it wants to reopen the historic but long-closed 11th Street Bridge, at least to pedestrian traffic. Several reasons exist for the group to become bigger bridge advocates. Next year, the city is scheduled to … Continue reading Tulsa Route 66 group advocates repairing, reopening 11th Street Bridge
Yukon begins construction of bicycle trail along Route 66
The city of Yukon, Oklahoma, on Tuesday broke ground for a bicycle trail that will run to Lake Overholser in Oklahoma City along Route 66. The trail should be ready for use by midsummer. News 9 in Oklahoma City reports the $827,000 bike trail will begin in Dickinson Park, run along the south side of … Continue reading Yukon begins construction of bicycle trail along Route 66
Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians have gathered enough donations to help pay for an engineer's study for the bridge. Now, the nonprofit group is using the money to put together "pitch packets" for prospective new owners of the closed and endangered span near Hazelgreen, Missouri. In an article this week in the Rolla … Continue reading Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge
Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
The city of Carthage, Missouri, is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for failing to keep up crossings and bridges in the city, including the fabled Whee Bridge along Route 66. According to the Joplin Globe: The suit, filed in federal court, cites 17 crossings, including the Oak Street bridge along Route 66. The city is … Continue reading Carthage sues railroad over crossings, including Whee Bridge
Route 66 Road Ahead launches YouTube channel
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership recently launched its own YouTube channel and uploaded its first on-the-road video filmed by three young guys in an eight-week campaign that seeks to attract younger generations to the historic highway. Here's the first video from the trio in Illinois, uploaded today: https://youtu.be/mJrOWGMre0Y According to a news release from … Continue reading Route 66 Road Ahead launches YouTube channel
Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri Places in Peril list
The closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, on Friday was named to the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation's historic Places in Peril list for 2018. The bridge also was placed on the list in 2015, when the state in late 2014 closed the bridge due to structural deterioration. The alliance issues a Places in Peril … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge makes Missouri Places in Peril list