Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction

The closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, was facing a spring deadline to find a new owner for the historic span or the Missouri Department of Transportation would advertise for bids to tear it down. That deadline is off the table, according to Joe Sonderman of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. He wrote … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction

Missouri Route 66 association to begin talks to take ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

The Route 66 Association of Missouri plans to submit a formal proposal to the state by March 4 to take over ownership of the endangered Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. The association decided to try to make the move during a special meeting Saturday. The Missouri Department of Transportation has set a "drop-dead date" of … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association to begin talks to take ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said Thursday on a video he wants the association to take over ownership of the endangered Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. Dinkela said he's seeking a groundswell of support to persuade the Missouri association to approve his proposal at its board meeting Saturday afternoon at … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor

A member of the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians met Thursday with Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in an effort to buy more time for the endangered bridge near Hazelgreen. "Roamin'" Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said in an online video later that day he didn't get a definitive … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor

State sets April 20 deadline to avoid razing of Gasconade River Bridge

The Missouri Department of Transportation set a "drop-dead" date of April 20 for the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians to find a new owner for the historic span near Hazelgreen, Missouri, or else the state will dismantle it. Facing the looming deadline, preservationists eventually shifted the questions to MoDOT about how to acquire pieces … Continue reading State sets April 20 deadline to avoid razing of Gasconade River Bridge

Time is running out to save Gasconade River Bridge

Time to save the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, from demolition is running out, as a contract to raze the historic Route 66 span may be awarded by mid-2020. Gary Sosniecki of the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society wrote that no progress was made this week during one of several "last-ditch" efforts to … Continue reading Time is running out to save Gasconade River Bridge

Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million

An engineering firm estimated it would cost at least $2.5 million to rehabilitate the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. Sparks Engineering of San Antonio issued a 16-page structural evaluation of the historic Route 66 bridge, which has been closed since December 2014. The Missouri Department of Transportation has stated it would tear down … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million

Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge

The Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians have gathered enough donations to help pay for an engineer's study for the bridge. Now, the nonprofit group is using the money to put together "pitch packets" for prospective new owners of the closed and endangered span near Hazelgreen, Missouri. In an article this week in the Rolla … Continue reading Donations may help find new owner for Gasconade River Bridge

Group to begin fundraising to restore Gasconade River Bridge

An Iowa-based preservation group reached an agreement with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the nonprofit to begin fundraising efforts to eventually restore the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. North Skunk River Greenbelt Association, aka Workin' Bridges, based in Grinnell, Iowa, hopes to raise $3.5 million for the cause by Dec. 31, 2018. … Continue reading Group to begin fundraising to restore Gasconade River Bridge

Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage

Unexpected work on a bridge on Highway 96 (aka Route 66) east of Carthage, Missouri, has disputed traffic into that city. The Missouri Department of Transportation began work on the bridge in mid-August. The agency is detouring large-vehicle traffic to Interstate 44, which disrupts Route 66 travelers. The bridge work won't be finished until November. … Continue reading Highway 96 bridge work disrupts Route 66 traffic to Carthage