Those traveling Route 66 during the first half of 2022 have good news: The reconstruction project that will close the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, for at least two years won't begin until June. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook passed along the Oklahoma Department of Transportation's updated word about the bridge project this … Continue reading Reconstruction of Pony Bridge near Bridgeport won’t start until June
Category: Bridges
First Avenue Bridge in Barstow closed indefinitely after an accident
The First Avenue Bridge that leads to a Route 66 museum in Barstow, California, was closed to traffic after an accident last week and will remain off-limits indefinitely. The Victorville Daily Press reports the city is keeping the historic span closed as it assesses damage from a head-on crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon. It left … Continue reading First Avenue Bridge in Barstow closed indefinitely after an accident
A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis
It's hard to believe, but the MacArthur Bridge that once connected Route 66 from East St. Louis to St. Louis has been closed to vehicular traffic for more than 40 years but still is standing. KHMO radio recently flagged this video by urban explorer Tattoo Tony Alton where he and a pal explored the bridge, … Continue reading A closer look at the closed MacArthur Bridge in St. Louis
A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road
It's Christmas Eve, and what better way to get into the holiday spirit than to see a few examples of great holiday decor than from Route 66? First, the Devil's Elbow Bridge in Devil's Elbow, Missouri, which has been decorated each Christmas season for nearly a decade: View this post on Instagram A post shared … Continue reading A bit of holiday cheer from the Mother Road
London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
The relocated and reconstructed London Bridge today is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of that historic span in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. According to a recent newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the bridge reopened on Oct. 10, 1971, on the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City is about 30 miles … Continue reading London Bridge marks 50 years in Lake Havasu City
New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
State and local officials on Friday held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a new U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge in El Reno, Oklahoma, that pays tribute to the original span's Route 66 history. According to the El Reno Tribune, the ceremony for the new $10 million bridge included a performance by the … Continue reading New U.S. 81 Rock Island Bridge that pays tribute to Route 66 opens in El Reno
Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri
The Great Rivers Greenway is working with the Missouri State Parks Foundation to restore the long-closed Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka into a pedestrian and cycling span. The bridge's deck was removed more than 10 years ago to help keep the main structure from deteriorating further, and its future looked … Continue reading Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri
Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
The historic Captain Creek Bridge along an alignment of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, recently reopened after the state's Department of Transportation improved and reconstructed the span using its original pony trusses. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Facebook noted the completion of the project: "Although the original 1932 trusses no longer support the bridge, … Continue reading Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston is reopened after reconstruction
Old Chain of Rocks Bridge gets $990,000 federal grant to improve visitors area
The owner of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis will receive a $990,000 federal grant from to improve the visitor area, including security enhancements. The National Park Service awarded the grant to the Great Rivers Greenway, which owns the bridge that once carried Route 66 over the Mississippi River, reported the St. … Continue reading Old Chain of Rocks Bridge gets $990,000 federal grant to improve visitors area
Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge
An official with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation expressed concerns about the process of possibly tearing town the Gasconade River Bridge in Hazelgreen, Missouri, that the Route 66 Association of Missouri wants to preserve. In a Facebook post on Saturday, association President Rich Dinkela posted a July 28 letter from Jaime Loichinger, assistant director … Continue reading Official expresses misgivings about possible demolition of Gasconade River Bridge