Group to begin fundraising to restore Gasconade River Bridge

An Iowa-based preservation group reached an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the nonprofit to begin fundraising efforts to eventually restore the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. North Skunk River Greenbelt Association, aka Workin' Bridges, based in Grinnell, Iowa, hopes to raise $3.5 million for the cause by Dec. 31, 2018. … Continue reading Group to begin fundraising to restore Gasconade River Bridge

Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold

Over half of the 100 limestone balusters salvaged from the now-demolished Highway 96 (aka Route 66) bridge in Carthage, Missouri, were sold for $250 apiece. Dozens of the balusters were purchased within 30 minutes -- mostly by locals -- when they went on sale Friday as a fundraiser for Vision Carthage, a nonprofit dedicated to city … Continue reading Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold

Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage

Unexpected work on a bridge on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) east of Carthage, Missouri, has disputed traffic into that city. The Missouri Department of Transportation began work on the bridge in mid-August. The agency is detouring large-vehicle traffic to Interstate 44, which disrupts Route 66 travelers. The bridge work won't be finished until November. … Continue reading Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage

Spindles from old Route 66 bridge to be sold Sept. 22

About 100 limestone spindles, or balusters, taken from a now-demolished Route 66 bridge in Carthage, Missouri, will be sold for $250 apiece on Sept. 22. The Joplin Globe reported the balusters will be sold by the nonprofit Vision Carthage organization during the Art Walk event in Carthage's downtown square. There are no per-person limits. and … Continue reading Spindles from old Route 66 bridge to be sold Sept. 22

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