The Kum & Go convenience-store chain reversed course and said it won't pave over a small section of Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri. The Springfield News-Leader reported: After hearing from fans of the historic road, the company will keep an original section unpaved as it builds a new marketplace store at the intersection of Glenstone … Continue reading Kum & Go won’t pave over all of original Route 66 after all
Category: Highways
Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday signed and enacted a bill that creates a state Route 66 Centennial Commission. According to a news release, the signing took place Tuesday in Plainfield. The commission is tasked with developing plans for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission will consist … Continue reading Governor signs Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission bill
U.S. House passes Route 66 Centennial bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act. It next will be considered by the U.S. Senate. The measure was passed by a voice vote without objection. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), a key sponsor of the bill known as H.R. 66, issued this statement after the bill passed: Route … Continue reading U.S. House passes Route 66 Centennial bill
Two states poised to celebrate Route 66’s centennial in 2026
Today, when the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to set up a federal-level 100th anniversary commission for Route 66, two Midwestern states also are poised to set up their commissions to mark the road's centennial in 2026. Missouri's governor signed such a bill into law this year, and Illinois' … Continue reading Two states poised to celebrate Route 66’s centennial in 2026
UPDATED: Original section of Route 66 to be paved over after convenience-store chain buys it
The fate of an original section of Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri, remains up in the air after the Kum & Go convenience-store chain recently bought the property on which it sits. The Springfield News-Leader reports the piece of road on 2.9 acres on the southeast corner of Glenstone Avenue and Kearney Street (map here) … Continue reading UPDATED: Original section of Route 66 to be paved over after convenience-store chain buys it
U.S. House committee advances Route 66 centennial bill
A bill to name Route 66 a National Historic Trail has received a lot of attention in Congress and from the media. But a second Route 66 bill also is quietly advancing through the halls of Washington. Last week, the U.S. House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced H.R. 66, known as the Route 66 Centennial … Continue reading U.S. House committee advances Route 66 centennial bill
New Route 66 signs unveiled in Amarillo
State and local officials on Wednesday unveiled a series of new Route 66 signs in Amarillo, Texas, after the state legislature passed a bill that designated Route 66 as an official historic corridor. The Amarillo Pioneer reported: The ceremony, which took place across the street from the OPJ antique store, featured Senator Kel Seliger, Representative … Continue reading New Route 66 signs unveiled in Amarillo
U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday evening approved by a voice vote the Route 66 National Historic Trail Act. The bill advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration. According to reports by the U.S. House clerk, lawmakers quickly suspended rules for debate and proceeded to vote on the bill, called HR 801, without objection. … Continue reading U.S. House passes Route 66 National Historic Trail bill
Route 66 included in possible Illinois Bicentennial coin
Route 66 is among the design options that Illinois residents can choose when voting for the official design of the Illinois Bicentennial coin. All of the designs were created by Illinois artists. Coins can be pre-ordered for $45 each here. The artist's description of the coin design that includes Route 66: “The coin depicts Illinois’ strong; … Continue reading Route 66 included in possible Illinois Bicentennial coin
Scenes from the Route 66 birthday celebration
A 92nd-birthday party was held Monday in downtown Springfield, Missouri, from the spot in 1926 where area good-roads activists proposed No. 66 for a highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. The event at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Park Central East in Springfield marked the spot at the long-gone Colonial Hotel when a telegram … Continue reading Scenes from the Route 66 birthday celebration