The rocket launch of a device by the National Reconnaissance Office in 2011 came with a mission patch that included a prominent Route 66 reference. Here's the patch: According to the NRO, the device was launched aboard an Orbital Sciences Corporation Minotaur I rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Feb. 6, 2011. The launch was called NROL-66. … Continue reading Spy agency’s rocket launch had a Route 66 reference
Category: Highways
White House petitioned to designate Route 66 a national landmark
Someone launched a We the People petition drive to the White House Sunday to designate "Old Route 66" as a historic landmark. The creator of the petition is listed as J.W. (I don't know who he or she is) of Springfield, Oregon, and has made the rounds on Facebook. The petitioner described the petition as … Continue reading White House petitioned to designate Route 66 a national landmark
Major section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by January
A significant part of Route 66 in Southern Calfornia's Mojave Desert may reopen by January after flood damage forced its closing in early September. ZachNews, based in Needles, California, reported a 28-mile section of Route 66 from Ludlow to Amboy may reopen as soon as next month. Unprecedented flash flooding closed almost all the roadway … Continue reading Major section of Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by January
Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by late January
We're now starting to realize the extent of flooding damage to Route 66 in Southern California in September. Not only do 80 miles through the Mojave Desert remain closed, but it likely will remain closed until late January -- two months later than originally anticipated. According to a story in Inland News Today, Roni Edis … Continue reading Route 66 in Mojave Desert may reopen by late January
Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Some may assume Cyrus Avery became known as "The Father of Route 66" simply because he was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when the highway became designated and federally certified in 1926. But as Susan Croce Kelly's well-researched new biography shows, Avery's involvement in Route 66's birth and … Continue reading Book review: “Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery”
Route 66 in Mojave may reopen by late November
Long sections of historic Route 66 that were closed in mid-September because of extensive flood damage may reopen by late November, reported The Press-Enterprise. The newspaper had more details about the damage: In some spots there are holes large enough to swallow one of the motorcycles belonging to tourist groups that regularly retrace the Western … Continue reading Route 66 in Mojave may reopen by late November
New road would partly restore old section of Route 66
The Phelps County commissioners may apply for a grant to build a north outer road near Interstate 44 that would partially restore an old section of Route 66 near Rolla, Missouri, according to The Leader Journal newspaper in St. James, Missouri. The new section of road would run between U.S. 63 and Missouri Highway V. The board would … Continue reading New road would partly restore old section of Route 66
Route 66 in Mojave may be closed for months
Severe seasonal flooding closed a section of old Route 66 between Essex and Ludlow in Southern California's Mojave Desert, and it may be weeks or even months before it reopens, according to one news source in the area. Zachnews, based in Needles, California, reports more than 40 bridges and some of the Route 66 roadbed … Continue reading Route 66 in Mojave may be closed for months
‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
On a stretch of old Route 66 east of Albuquerque is a set of rumble strips that play "America the Beautiful" when you drive over them. We'll let KOAT-TV in Albuquerque explain: https://youtu.be/upOtu16yOFg The Associated Press reported that Tigress Productions created the road in Tijeras, New Mexico, for a new National Geographic Channel series, "Crowd … Continue reading ‘Singing Road’ developed near Albuquerque
County will seek grant for Sidewalk Highway
Ottawa County, Oklahoma, will apply for a $300,000 "Rails to Trails" grant to shore up and ultimately preserve the Route 66 section of the historic Ribbon Road, aka Sidewalk Highway, between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma, reported the Miami News-Record. The article does a good job explaining the complex issues about preserving the 1922 Sidewalk Highway, … Continue reading County will seek grant for Sidewalk Highway