KOTV in Tulsa filed a report about why the historic 11th Street Bridge remains closed to vehicles and pedestrians, even though it was originally envisioned as a centerpiece of Tulsa's Route 66. The answer has been answered here before -- namely, it was found later that rehabbing the bridge would have eaten up nearly all … Continue reading Why the historic 11th Street Bridge remains closed
Category: Bridges
Why’d they name it that?
The Daily Oklahoman has a list of bridges, roads, buildings and other things that were named after prominent Sooners. Here's the ones that are relevant to Route 66: Interstate-40 Business — "Roger Miller Memorial Highway” — 1994: Between State Highway 30 in Erick and I-40 (Exit 11). Miller was a singer and songwriter. [Editor's note: … Continue reading Why’d they name it that?
A high-tech solution to Devils Elbow Bridge?
The commissioners of Pulaski County have been working for months to find solutions and funding to repair the historic but fast-deteriorating Devils Elbow Bridge near the Route 66 halmet of Devils Elbow, Mo. The Waynesville Daily Guide said that Dixon, Mo., business owner Jerry Plunkett had ideas that intrigued the county: Citing the possibility of … Continue reading A high-tech solution to Devils Elbow Bridge?
Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge that carried old Route 66 from Madison, Ill., to St. Louis gets a lot of attention from roadies and tourists. However, there also is a bridge over the Chain of Rocks Canal a couple of miles east of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. The canal was built during … Continue reading Chain of Rocks Canal Bridge
Lake Overholser Bridge to be repaired
The historic Lake Overholser Bridge, on an old alignment of Route 66 in the western edge of Oklahoma City, will eventually be rehabilitated without affecting its appearance. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association informed me that the bridge had been recently closed to traffic because it had deteriorated too much. However, a letter from David Wrights … Continue reading Lake Overholser Bridge to be repaired
Bridge near Vinita named to National Register
A 1926 bridge on Route 66 east of Vinita, Okla., was named to the National Register of Historic Places, effective March 4, according to a release sent today by the National Park Service. The bridge is over the Little Cabin Creek on what is also U.S. 60/69 east of town. I don't have a photo … Continue reading Bridge near Vinita named to National Register
Help save Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa
I was going to write about this, but I'm going to let Route 66 author and preservationist Jim Ross hold court for a bit. This is a partial text of an e-mail he sent today: The Bird Creek Bridge (formerly known as the Verdigris River Bridge) at Catoosa near the Blue Whale now has its … Continue reading Help save Bird Creek Bridge near Catoosa
Construction work coming on Oatman Road
The Mohave Valley News reports that a bid of $188,864 was accepted to repair six culverts along Oatman Road, aka Route 66, between Oatman, Ariz., and Kingman, Ariz. If approved by the county supervisors, the construction project is expected to begin in later this month and take about two months to complete. [...] The culverts … Continue reading Construction work coming on Oatman Road
New plans for Waynesville bridge proceed
The Daily Guide of Waynesville, Mo., reports that improvements to the 1923 Roubidoux Bridge, which carries historic Route 66, will proceed after fits and starts. Originally, vintage-looking lights were planned on the bridge. But preservationists were concerned that drilling holes into the structure to install them would compromise the bridge's integrity. There also were concerns … Continue reading New plans for Waynesville bridge proceed
Help protect the Pony Bridge
A few weeks ago, I read that the state of Oklahoma was putting together a list of bridges slated for repairs or replacement in the next decade or so. I'm for safe bridges as much as the next person. But I was concerned that the Pony Bridge, the amazing 38-truss span built in 1933 on … Continue reading Help protect the Pony Bridge