In the wake of Barack Obama last week designating a big chunk of Route 66 in the Mojave Desert as the Mojave Trails National Monument, pressure is building on the president to designate La Bajada Hill in New Mexico as a national monument, as well. The Christian Science Monitor, in a story Saturday about Obama's executive actions, … Continue reading La Bajada Hill may become a national monument
Category: Highways
66 Corridor project appears to be dead
During the gap between the Christmas and New Year's holidays, federal officials apparently nixed a long-simmering 66 Corridor interstate proposal, aka Interstate 66, that would have linked Paducah, Kentucky, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Associated Press first broke the story. The 66 Corridor plan had bounced around for more than two decades. This part of the story … Continue reading 66 Corridor project appears to be dead
Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon
A part of the Interstate 15/215 interchange project that would reconnect a portion of old Route 66 in San Bernardino County, California, was slated to be finished by May. But a new report in the Victorville Daily Press indicates it will reopen early this year. To the south, Route 66 proceeds three-quarters of a mile … Continue reading Reconnected Route 66 in Cajon Pass may open soon
Will the Mountain Springs Road section of Route 66 reopen?
As many readers know, flash flooding in September 2014 destroyed dozens of bridges and made huge stretches of old Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert impassable for months. Fifteen months later, all of Route 66 in the desert is open except for a section west of Ludlow, California -- which can be bypassed via the north … Continue reading Will the Mountain Springs Road section of Route 66 reopen?
Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
Normal, Illinois, plans to spend $260,000 for a multi-use trail connecting the Route 66 Bike Trail at Towanda Avenue and Shelbourne Drive to Old Route 66, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The project, part of a bigger project to connect an old Route 66 bicycle trail in nearby Towanda, Illinois, is part of Normal's community investment plan. It's … Continue reading Normal plans to improve Route 66 Bike Trail
What is the length of Route 66?
The length of the original U.S. 66 is commonly cited as 2,448 miles (although Wikipedia lists it as 2,451 miles). Stefan Joppich's research indicates through bypasses and improvements, the length of Route 66 dropped in miles to 2,278 by 1947 -- much of it through the bypass of Santa Fe, which lopped off almost 120. How long … Continue reading What is the length of Route 66?
Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
The Arroyo Seco Parkway will mark its 75th year of existence this month. The 8-mile stretch of highway, aka Pasadena Freeway or 110 Freeway, opened Dec. 30, 1940. The Los Angeles Daily News provided background on that day: The occasion was marked by parades and proclamations. Rose Queen Sally Stanton cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening it … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway marking 75th anniversary
Part of Route 66 reopens in the Mojave Desert
A 21-mile stretch of Route 66 in California's Mojave Desert reopened Friday from Cadiz Road to Essex Road, reported the Needles Desert Star. A large chunk of Route 66 in the Mojave closed in September 2014 after flash flooding damaged roadways and destroyed dozens of bridges. The stretch from Ludlow to Amboy reopened in January after … Continue reading Part of Route 66 reopens in the Mojave Desert
“Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”
Author Susan Croce Kelly began her "Father of Route 66: Cy Avery" presentation during the Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, by imagining what would have happened if Edwardsville hosted a good-roads conference 100 years ago. The city, which had about 5,000 residents, probably would have drawn a number of attendees well beyond the town's … Continue reading “Father of Route 66: Cy Avery”
Reconnection of Route 66 in Cajon Pass will be done by mid-2016
A massive interchange project at Interstates 15 and 215 that will reconnect old Route 66 in San Bernardino County is ahead of schedule for its projected completion of mid-2016, according to Construction Equipment Guide. According to previous reporting, about two miles of old Route 66 in the Cajon Pass will be reopened to traffic for … Continue reading Reconnection of Route 66 in Cajon Pass will be done by mid-2016