The European tradition of "love locks" apparently has made its way to Tulsa and Route 66. KOTV in Tulsa reports a few dozen "love locks" or "love padlocks" have been placed in recent years over the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza over Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Tulsa near the Arkansas River. The gist is a couple … Continue reading ‘Love locks’ being placed on Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza bridge
Category: Bridges
Meramec River Bridge appears to get a reprieve
The endangered Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Missouri, appears to have earned a reprieve from the wrecking ball. The Route 66 bridge that spanned the Meramec River at the now-ghost town of Times Beach was slated to be demolished by the Missouri Department of Transportation sometime in 2017 unless an entity raised … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge appears to get a reprieve
New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
The Missouri Department of Transportation this week approved a contract to replace two Missouri 96 (aka Route 66) bridges on the northeast side of Carthage. The road will reopen no later than Sept. 15, but the $6.2 million contract with Clarkson Construction Co. in Kansas City contains incentives if it finishes the job quicker. Given that, it's not … Continue reading New bridges in Carthage to reopen no later than mid-September
Fate of Gasconade River Bridge dominates county meeting
What to do about the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, "dominated" discussion during a recent meeting of the Laclede County board of commissioners, according to a local newspaper. The Lebanon Daily Record (subscription required) reported the talk about the bridge took place during a budget hearing last week. Lebanon City Council member and Route … Continue reading Fate of Gasconade River Bridge dominates county meeting
Christmas in Devils Elbow
Roamin' Rich Dinkela recently made this video showing Christmas decorations at the Elbow Inn bar and restaurant and the Devils Elbow Bridge along old Route 66 in Devils Elbow, Missouri. So it seems right to post this video on Christmas Day: https://youtu.be/f1DKDD2uLuA The folks in Devils Elbow began decorating the bridge for the Christmas holiday a few years … Continue reading Christmas in Devils Elbow
Missouri’s new old Route 66 bridge
Jasper County officials on Wednesday marked the dedication of a new bridge on old Route 66 west of Carthage, Missouri, designed to resemble the 1922 bridge it replaced. Above is a Larry Askren photo, via Facebook, of the new bridge as it was being built in September. The vintage Art Deco details were clear even then. … Continue reading Missouri’s new old Route 66 bridge
MoDOT lays out options for Gasconade River Bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation on Wednesday night in Lebanon, Missouri, presented its options during a public hearing for the now-closed Gasconade River Bridge that carried Route 66 near Hazelgreen. MoDOT posted a series of documents on its website here. KOLR-TV also summarized the five options for the bridge, which was closed for two years ago because … Continue reading MoDOT lays out options for Gasconade River Bridge
Tulsa’s Route 66 Experience more than halfway to funding goal
A key official behind the proposed Route 66 Experience in Tulsa said fundraising for the multi-use museum complex is more than halfway to its $23 million goal. Ken Busby, CEO and executive director of the nonprofit Route 66 Alliance, told KJRH-TV in Tulsa about $13 million has been raised so far. Because of the site's … Continue reading Tulsa’s Route 66 Experience more than halfway to funding goal
Memories of Times Beach persist more than 30 years later
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently published a story about Marilyn Leistner, who was the last mayor of Times Beach, Missouri, before the Route 66 town was deserted for good in 1983 because of dioxin contamination. Road contractor Russell Bliss used dioxin-laced oil to spread on dirt roads throughout the town. When the Meramec River flooded, … Continue reading Memories of Times Beach persist more than 30 years later
MoDOT accelerates replacement of Carthage bridge
The Missouri Department of Transportation is greatly accelerating the replacement of a railroad bridge on Missouri 96, aka Route 66, on the northeast side of Carthage, Missouri, giving hope the project will prove much less disruptive to Route 66 businesses. According to the Carthage Press, the highway agency will: Seek bids for the bridge's replacement in December, … Continue reading MoDOT accelerates replacement of Carthage bridge