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
Category: Bridges
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
Public hearing for Gasconade River Bridge set for Dec. 14
The Missouri Department of Transportation will present its options for the closed Gasoncade River Bridge near Hazelgreen during a public hearing at 4 p.m. Dec. 14. The hearing will be held at Laclede Electric Cooperative, 1400 E. Route 66 in Lebanon (map here). It's expected to last about two hours. According to a news release from … Continue reading Public hearing for Gasconade River Bridge set for Dec. 14
Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers
The city of Carthage, Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation may have hammered out a compromise that will lead to a better bridge-project detour for Route 66 travelers and give maintenance to those old bridges on the detour. The Carthage Press reports the agreement that will be voted on by the city council Oct. 25: … Continue reading Carthage compromise may aid Route 66 travelers