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

Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge

A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist has written about the Missouri Department of Transportation's apparent unwillingness to deed the closed Gasconade River Bridge to the Route 66 Association of Missouri. Tony Messenger, metro columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, filed his latest piece Thursday. Messenger, who often casts light on local or state government's wrongdoing or indifference, … Continue reading Pulitzer-winning columnist takes aim at MoDOT regarding Gasconade River Bridge

City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge

The City of Barstow, California, recently received a $5 million state grant to help replace the First Avenue Bridge that leads to the Harvey House and its Route 66 Mother Road Museum. According to a news release Sunday from city manager James Hart: The City of Barstow requested $5,000,000 million dollars from the Railroad Grade … Continue reading City of Barstow gets $5M grant to help replace historic First Avenue Bridge

County board rejects zoning change for massive 2 Guns Resort project

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday night unanimously rejected an ambitious redevelopment plan for the Two Guns, Arizona, site. John Gunderman of Indiana had planned to convert 267 acres at the Route 66 ghost town into a 774-unit western-themed "glamping" area with a cliffside hotel, treehouses, yurts, cabins, several restaurants, a rodeo, two … Continue reading County board rejects zoning change for massive 2 Guns Resort project

How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association posted on Facebook a very good example of how to update a historic bridge to modern standards, yet keep the essential elements that make it unique. Behold the work being done to the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston, Oklahoma: https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaRoute66/posts/10158426691872775 Oklahoma also is updating the iconic William H. Murray Bridge, … Continue reading How to update but preserve vital parts of a historic structure: the Captain Creek Bridge in Wellston

Dinkela: Insurance dilemma for Gasconade River Bridge captures the attention of feds

The president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri said in a video posted Monday on social media that the state's requirement of unattainable insurance for the organization to take over ownership of the closed Gasconade River Bridge has attracted the attention of the federal government. Rich Dinkela began the Facebook post with this message: … Continue reading Dinkela: Insurance dilemma for Gasconade River Bridge captures the attention of feds

First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down

The historic First Avenue Bridge in Barstow, California, that leads to the Harvey House and one of its tenants, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, will be demolished after a new bridge is built because it's a liability to the city. If the old bridge fell onto the BNSF railroad tracks, the railroad could bill … Continue reading First Avenue Bridge in Barstow scheduled to be torn down

Sapulpa planning a new access road to Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66

The city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is planning to build an extension of an existing highway later this spring so motorists can more easily access the old Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66 west of town. The Sapulpa Times detailed upcoming work regarding Proposition 1, one of a series of bond projects approved by voters in … Continue reading Sapulpa planning a new access road to Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66