The American Society of Civil Engineers recently designated Route 66 as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. ASCE's board approved the designation on July 10 in recognition of the highway's centennial and its lasting contributions to American infrastructure and civil engineering. Initially established in 1926, Route 66 was the first paved, all-weather highway to connect the Midwest with … Continue reading Route 66 designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
Category: Bridges
Timber Creek Bridge near Sayre is undergoing minor repairs
The historic and distinctive Timber Creek Bridge along old Route 66 near Sayre, Oklahoma, is getting some TLC from state transportation officials. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association reported this about the yellow truss bridge that's almost 100 years old: In recent days, work crews have been spotted out at the Timber Creek Bridge, and the … Continue reading Timber Creek Bridge near Sayre is undergoing minor repairs
Company to replace 10 bridges on Route 66 near Amboy starting in December
Granite Construction recently announced it secured a contract of about $24 million to replace 10 aging bridges along Route 66 in Amboy, California. Funding from San Bernardino County comes from state and federal sources. This project addresses structures that no longer meet modern load-bearing standards and are unable to support today’s vehicular traffic volumes and weights … Continue reading Company to replace 10 bridges on Route 66 near Amboy starting in December
Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
While the Route 66-themed View Stop Park is being built on the west side of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, workers are seeking to find the original Route 66 roadway that went through there. The park will include a Route 66 centennial marker, a bridge overlook plaza, parking, wildflower gardens, a boulder playground, a “Get Your Kicks” photo-op … Continue reading Crews at forthcoming Sapulpa park try to uncover sections of original Route 66 roadway
Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month
The city council of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, last week unanimously chose a contractor to build the Route 66 Park west of town so it would be ready by the highway's centennial next year. According to the Sapulpa Times, Magnum Construction's low bid of nearly $2.1 million won. The new park will include numerous points of interest … Continue reading Construction on Route 66 Park in Sapulpa to begin next month
Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, one of Twin Bridges near Catoosa torn down
Historic Route 66 lost two landmarks in the past few days -- the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri, and the remaining Twin Bridge near Catoosa, Oklahoma. Josh Thompson posted on Facebook's Historic Route 66 group images of the Totem Pole being torn down on May 7. One of his images: The Totem Pole … Continue reading Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, one of Twin Bridges near Catoosa torn down
Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements
Local and Route 66 officials attended the rededication of the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge, also known as the Rainbow Bridge, near Baxter Springs, Kansas. State and county officials, plus members of the Route 66 Association of Kansas and the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, representatives from Galena and Baxter Springs and local business owners attended the … Continue reading Rainbow Bridge near Baxter Springs rededicated after repainting, other improvements
Ribbon-cutting to mark completion of renovations on Rainbow Bridge set for May 2
The Route 66 Association of Kansas recently announced it will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations to the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge (aka Rainbow Bridge) near Baxter Springs, Kansas. The ceremony will be at 1 p.m. that day. The association uploaded a bunch of before-and-after images of the refurbished bridge. The … Continue reading Ribbon-cutting to mark completion of renovations on Rainbow Bridge set for May 2
Gravesite of Grandpa Joad added to west side of Pony Bridge
I'm a bit surprised no one has done this before, but someone recently added a grave marker for Grandpa Joad from "The Grapes of Wrath" film at the west end of Route 66's landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma. Jonathan Dobbs alerted the Historic Route 66 group on Facebook about the wooden grave marker, simply … Continue reading Gravesite of Grandpa Joad added to west side of Pony Bridge
County receives $25,000 grant to repaint Rainbow Bridge near Riverton
Cherokee County, Kansas, recently received a $25,000 Attraction Development grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to help repaint the Rainbow Bridge, aka the Marsh Arch Bridge, near Riverton. According to the Route 66 Association of Kansas, Gearhead Curios owner and association Vice President Aaron Perry and association newsletter editor Machelle Smith approached the county … Continue reading County receives $25,000 grant to repaint Rainbow Bridge near Riverton