Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction

A judge late Friday refused to grant a preliminary injunction against construction of the nine-mile Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus system that would go down the heart of Central Avenue, aka Route 66. Construction on ART likely will begin by the middle of next week. The project will take at least 15 months to complete. U.S. … Continue reading Judge refuses to stop Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction

Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses

As Albuquerque and dozens of businesses awaited a judge's ruling this week on a lawsuit against the Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan, the city unveiled a new website touting the Route 66 corridor and gave details about a loan program for those affected businesses. The city launched ABQ66.com, which includes interactive listings of restaurants, retail, coffee shops, bars, entertainment, motels, … Continue reading Albuquerque offers olive branch to Route 66 businesses

Barstow soon will get new Route 66 signs

Barstow, California, soon will have classic car-themed Route 66 signs installed. The city council this week approved a $42,860 contract with Turner Signs and Graphics for the new signs. Councilors also approved a $111,360 budget for the overall sign project. According to the Desert Dispatch newspaper: The monument signs that will be placed along the Route 66 … Continue reading Barstow soon will get new Route 66 signs

Albuquerque gets federal approval for rapid-transit project

The city of Albuquerque said it received federal approval for Albuquerque Rapid Transit, but the city will hold off on any action until a federal judge hears a lawsuit against the project next week. The Albuquerque Journal reported: In a letter to U.S. District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales, City Attorney Jessica Hernandez said the city … Continue reading Albuquerque gets federal approval for rapid-transit project

Funks Grove Maple Sirup featured on Illinois Made series

The Illinois Office of Tourism features Funks Grove Maple Sirup near Shirley, Illinois, as one of eight businesses in a new Illinois Made series. According to an article in the Bloomington Pantagraph, Illinois Office of Tourism director Cory Jobe said Illinois Made contains videos, exclusive web content and travel ideas. “Travelers really want to travel to a destination or … Continue reading Funks Grove Maple Sirup featured on Illinois Made series

Fire damages historic dance hall in Amarillo

A fire Saturday heavily damaged the Soul Town nightclub along old Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, and the longtime owner is assessing how to rebuild it. Jimmy Dunn, 77, owns Soul Town, which before was the Crystal Pistol strip club, at 907 E. Amarillo Blvd., aka Route 66. The Amarillo Globe News reported: At 6:38 … Continue reading Fire damages historic dance hall in Amarillo

Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects

Detours for upcoming replacement of two bridges in Carthage, Missouri, has Route 66 businesses fretting that tourists will bypass their town. The Missouri Department of Transportation will start to replace two bridges on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) on the northeast side of town next spring. The projects won't be finished until fall 2017. The official detour when the … Continue reading Route 66 businesses worry about effect of bridge projects

Business seeks to help preserve Route 66 sites

A Minnesota-based artist recently launched Explore and Preserve, an apparel and gift website that aims to give part of its profits to endangered Route 66 sites, including the Meramec River Bridge in Missouri. The historic Meramec River Bridge near Eureka, Missouri, requires more than a half-million dollars by the end of the year or the Missouri Department of Transportation tears … Continue reading Business seeks to help preserve Route 66 sites

Pokemon Go can boost Route 66 businesses

You may have noticed a bunch of young people walking along the sidewalk, watching the screens of their smartphones intently. It's likely they were playing an augmented reality game, Pokemon Go, that Apple and Android recently released to their smartphone systems. It's caught on like wildfire. The Orlando Business Journal provided this nutshell description of the game: … Continue reading Pokemon Go can boost Route 66 businesses

Gallup district placed on National Register

The Gallup Commercial Historic District in Gallup, New Mexico, that includes parts of Route 66 recently was designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective June 21, according to an email this week from the National Park Service. The boundaries of the Gallup Commercial Historic District are Route 66 to the north, South Seventh … Continue reading Gallup district placed on National Register