Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants

The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program on Thursday announced its annual cost-share grant awards, with seven grants totaling $98,137. This year's grant awards are remarkable in their breadth, including neon-sign restorations, oral-history projects, a full assessment of Route 66's bridges, a historic-property database, an educational websites and a documentary film. Since 2001, the program has … Continue reading Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program announces 2017 cost-share grants

Missouri likely won’t give up possession of Gasconade River Bridge until next year

Route 66 advocates learned Wednesday the Missouri Department of Transportation won't turn over possession of the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen to an "interested party" until early next year. The news was a bit of a disappointment for the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians, which had hoped to take possession in September. According … Continue reading Missouri likely won’t give up possession of Gasconade River Bridge until next year

More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy

Those hoping old Route 66 between Essex and Amboy, California, would reopen to traffic by September after bridge repairs may have to wait longer -- storms damaged more than a dozen bridges in that stretch last week. Mazin Kasey of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works said in an email Monday that 14 … Continue reading More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy

Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena

Officials from Galena, Kansas, and the neighboring states of Oklahoma and Missouri attended a ceremony Saturday to mark the restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena Work on the bridge was finished in early July. Cherokee County received a Community Development Block Grant last year for the repairs, and the county covered the … Continue reading Officials dedicate restored Front Street Bridge in Galena

Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold

The limestone balusters, or spindles, of the now-destroyed old Missouri Highway 96 bridge near Carthage, Missouri, probably will be sold after the city instructed road crews to salvage them. Meanwhile, the new Missouri 96 bridge northeast of town is slated to open this week. That would lessen the confusion of Route 66 travelers using Missouri 96, … Continue reading Spindles from old Carthage bridge likely will be sold

Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena

Temporary fencing soon will be installed on the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, to deter suicidal people from jumping off the historic span. According to a report Friday in the Pasadena Star-News: The 10-foot tall mesh barricades are going up in front of 20 pedestrian alcoves along the bridge over the next week. City … Continue reading Fence being installed on Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena

Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed

The restoration of the historic Front Street Bridge in Galena, Kansas, recently was finished, and the city will hold a dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. July 22 to mark the occasion. City and county officials talked to the Joplin Globe newspaper about the project, also known as the Galena Viaduct: “It’s a piece of history, … Continue reading Restoration of Front Street Bridge in Galena completed

Photo deck dedicated for “Ship It on the Frisco” trestle

Shrewsbury, Missouri, last week dedicated a new photo deck so visitors can take a photograph of the historic "Ship It on the Frisco" train trestle that goes over Route 66 in the city. St. Louis Route 66 historian Norma Maret Bolin said the photo deck is in the lower Kenrick shopping center area and near the new Aldi's … Continue reading Photo deck dedicated for “Ship It on the Frisco” trestle

Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding

Flooding across mid-Missouri has affected many towns, but none more than the Route 66 hamlet of Devil's Elbow. According to the Waynesville Daily Guide, residents of Devil's Elbow were asked to evacuate by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The rising Big Piney River overwhelmed the town. The photo at top by Pulaski County Emergency Management, … Continue reading Devil’s Elbow ravaged by flooding

Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July

  The historic Front Street Bridge, aka the Galena Viaduct, that carried Route 66 into Galena, Kansas, will be closed for renovations until July. KSNF-TV reports the bridge's road surface, sidewalks and hand rails are being repaved. It's being paid for with a $193,000 Community Development Block Grant, with Cherokee County covering the other half … Continue reading Front Street Bridge in Galena to be closed for repairs until July