Frank C. Girardot, editor of the Pasadena Star-News and senior metro editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, wrote this op-ed excerpt today: Historical preservationists are keeping a wary eye on Caltrans' plans for the historic Pasadena Freeway. The freeway, which runs from Glenarm Parkway in Pasadena straight to the Four-Level interchange downtown, looks … Continue reading And this would be bad … how?
Category: Highways
Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois
Vulcan Materials, which was accused in a lawsuit of damaging a now-closed one-mile stretch of Joliet Road (aka Route 66) in McCook, Ill., settled with the state of Illinois for $40 million, according to a news release today. The company, which supplies asphalt and gravel, said it will pay $20 million to the Illinois Department … Continue reading Vulcan Materials settles lawsuit with Illinois
Trial date set for McCook road closure lawsuit
A lawsuit involving the closing of a one-mile section of Joliet Road, aka Route 66, in the Chicago suburb of McCook, Ill., finally will go to trial next month nine years after it was filed, according to David Clark, aka Windy City Road Warrior. The Illinois Department of Transportation alleges that Vulcan Materials seriously undermined … Continue reading Trial date set for McCook road closure lawsuit
The story behind Ozark Trail obelisks
The Plainview (Texas) Daily Herald posted a fascinating story about the obelisks that once dotted the length of the Ozark Trail highway system, which parts of which became early alignments of Route 66. According to the Drive The Old Spanish Trail Web site (www.drivetheost.com), various trail associations were formed early in the 20th century to … Continue reading The story behind Ozark Trail obelisks
Notes from the road
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is sponsoring a clean-up day on Saturday, April 17, at the old Ozark Trail section of Route 66 west of Sapulpa. This project is in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful programs. Work will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. The association wants … Continue reading Notes from the road
Let me answer
KTVI-TV in St. Louis proclaims that a few folks are confused by the new "Historic Route 66 Byway" signs posted along Manchester Road in the St. Louis region. A merchant claims that Watson Road is the original Route 66. He named his transmission business because of that. "Watson Road here is the original Route 66," … Continue reading Let me answer
DVD about Arizona’s Route 66 is completed
Kirk Slack and his Out West Family Films have released a 34-minute DVD about the history and attractions of Route 66 in Arizona, according to the Kingman Daily Miner. The documentary begins with the route's Arizona origins along the Beale Wagon Trail in 1928, progressing to its role in the 1930s dustbowl migration, into its … Continue reading DVD about Arizona’s Route 66 is completed
Notes from the road
The "East Meets West" sculpture at the Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza at Riverside Drive and Southwest Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Tulsa is inching closer to being installed. Dennis Whitaker at the city of Tulsa gave me this update, via e-mail: [T]he artist is finished with the car group and the foundry has already cast … Continue reading Notes from the road
All-American pitch
This Webster Weekly Report from Webster University tells about the last of a series of public meetings in an effort to make Route 66 a National Scenic Byway or an All-American Road. The last meeting occurred in St. Louis County. (Hat tip: Tommy and Glenda Pike of the Route 66 Association of Missouri)
Book about U.S. 89 published
We at Route 66 News concentrate on news concerning the Mother Road, but occasionally pay attention to developments about other historic two-lane highways. So it is with interest that we take note of a new photo-and-essay book by Ann Torrence titled "U.S. Highway 89: The Scenic Route to Seven Western National Parks" (Sagebrush Press, 160 … Continue reading Book about U.S. 89 published