Road crews destroy Horse Creek Bridge in Afton despite local opposition

Work crews for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation apparently destroyed the historic Horse Creek Bridge in Afton in recent days despite substantial opposition from residents and preservationists. A reader of Route 66 News in Oklahoma passed along a friend's photos of the razed bridge. The image was taken from a recently constructed temporary bypass bridge. … Continue reading Road crews destroy Horse Creek Bridge in Afton despite local opposition

What’s being planned for the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport?

I recently received a news release from Route 66 The Road Ahead Partnership about how a historic preservation specialist on behalf of the organization weighed in on several proposals for the William H. Murray Bridge, aka Pony Bridge, near Bridgeport, Oklahoma. That led me to ask: What exactly are the proposals for the Pony Bridge? … Continue reading What’s being planned for the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport?

Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

The Tulsa World this week published a preview of the “Are We There Yet? Preservation of Roadside Architecture and Attractions" symposium in Tulsa next month. The April 10-12 event is organized by National Park Service’s National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, city of Tulsa, Tulsa … Continue reading Oklahoma’s black eye amid upcoming preservation conference

A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently began uploading videos to Vimeo, including this 17-minute trip down Route 66 in the Sooner State. It's not a recent video, as I noted a few things that apparently have changed since it was shot. The big totem pole at Totem Pole Park near Foyil has been repainted in … Continue reading A trip down Oklahoma’s Route 66, circa 2009

Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit

Officials with Catoosa, Oklahoma, will meet with Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials later this month over a proposal to close a Route 66 exit from westbound Interstate 44. However, ODOT officials, according to The Daily Progress in nearby Claremore, Oklahoma, the proposal is one of several from years ago and is not finalized. They will host … Continue reading Catoosa to meet with state officials over plan to close Route 66 exit

Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation likely will close two historic and unique Route 66 bridges because of deterioration, but it is considering keeping the structures as monuments to travelers, according to a report from a television station and an Oklahoma Route 66 historian. The state's bridge plan calls for replacing several bridges on Route 66 … Continue reading Oklahoma may close two Route 66 bridges, leave them as monuments

Seven historic Route 66 bridges in Oklahoma endangered

Historian and author Jim Ross, who's plugged into the goings-on with Oklahoma's Route 66 as well as anyone, posted this grim message Monday on Facebook. The gist of it is seven historic bridges on the Mother Road in Oklahoma are slated for replacement, but one -- the fabled Pony Bridge near Bridgeport -- likely will be saved and … Continue reading Seven historic Route 66 bridges in Oklahoma endangered

Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary

Last month, word that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would improve Oklahoma Route 66 between Arcadia and Luther made the owner of The Boundary wonder whether his barbecue restaurant would have to be razed. He's probably resting easier after what was announced at an ODOT public hearing about the project Tuesday night at an Arcadia … Continue reading Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary

Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges

Mead & Hunt, an engineering and planning firm with offices nationwide, is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation on the possibility of repairing or replacing railings on historic bridges along the Route 66 corridor. Route 66 in Oklahoma is designated a National Scenic Byway and is developing a Corridor Management Plan to help preserve … Continue reading Oklahoma may repair or replace railings on historic bridges