The Green Roadway, a project to generate "green" energy along highways that is endorsed by the Route 66 Alliance, is auctioning patents to states starting today. What's interesting is how the Green Roadway aims to generate that electricity. I thought it'd be a mix of standard solar panels and wind turbines to do so. But … Continue reading Well, blow me down
Category: Highways
Marker near Rock Creek Bridge stolen
A historical marker that explains the origins of the Rock Creek Bridge that once carried old Route 66 near Sapulpa, Okla., was stolen about a month ago, reports the Sapulpa Daily Herald. Fortunately, the marker that was pilfered is not the original. The original marker is at the Sapulpa Historical Society Museum. The bridge was … Continue reading Marker near Rock Creek Bridge stolen
Notes from the road
--- The bad news in Oklahoma is that the state's turnpike authority will raise toll-road prices an average of 16 percent. The good news is that this probably means more traffic on old Route 66 in the Sooner State. --- On Monday we briefly visited with Dawn Welch, owner of the Rock Cafe in Stroud, … Continue reading Notes from the road
State budget woes may doom some rest stops
At least one cash-strapped state in which Route 66 traverses is considering shutting down its rest stops along the interstate highways, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to the article, Arizona is considering shutting down at least some of its rest stops as a cost-cutting move. An interesting excerpt: One hurdle for defenders of … Continue reading State budget woes may doom some rest stops
Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
A number of guidebooks about the Lincoln Highway, an important predecessor to historic Route 66, exist for several states that the road traverses. However, Brian Butko's "Lincoln Highway Companion" (Stackpole Books, 192 pages, $26.95 retail) is the first book of which I'm aware that tries to compile all of the coast-to-coast road's unique motels, restaurants, … Continue reading Book review: “Lincoln Highway Companion”
Part of eastbound 66 in Chicago closed
David G. Clark, an expert on Route 66 in the Chicago area, reports that a portion of eastbound Jackson Boulevard, aka Route 66, in Chicago will be closed to traffic until April 2010 for bridge repairs. Clark makes some suggestions on his blog: What does this mean to the Route 66 traveler? Well, if you … Continue reading Part of eastbound 66 in Chicago closed
Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
The expansion of a parcel map for the El Garces rehabilitation project in Needles, Calif., was approved by the city's planning department, reported the Needles Desert Star. El Garces is a long-abandoned Harvey House that Alan Affeldt, the savior of La Posada in Winslow, Ariz., is working to restore. El Garces, when it is restored, … Continue reading Expansion of El Garces project tentatively approved
More about the historic stretch near Springfield
Route 66 News was the first to have this story a few days ago, but the Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register has elaborated about an old stretch of Route 66 south of Lake Springfield being designated to the National Register of Historic Places. According to the nomination, the Springfield road was typical of two-lane, access highways in … Continue reading More about the historic stretch near Springfield
Old Route 66 near Lake Springfield named to National Register
A 1.3-mile stretch of old Route 66 south of Lake Springfield in Springfield, Ill., was named to the National Register of Historic Places effective May 12, reported the National Park Service in a weekly newsletter. The designation was expected after the state submitted its application to NPS. A story a few weeks ago from the … Continue reading Old Route 66 near Lake Springfield named to National Register
Cajon Pass interchange project includes reopening Route 66
The Inland Press-Enterprise reports that the California Department of Transportation wants to rebuild the bottlenecked interchange of Interstates 15 and 215 in Cajon Pass, and that the plan includes bringing back a portion of Route 66 there. All plans for the new interchange include connecting Cajon Boulevard from Kenwood Avenue to Glen Helen Parkway. By … Continue reading Cajon Pass interchange project includes reopening Route 66