Missouri budget plan includes $6 million to rebuild the bridge at Route 66 State Park

Among proposed spending bills being considered by the Missouri Legislature is a $6 million plan to build a pedestrian bridge at an existing historic span at Route 66 State Park near Eureka. That item was flagged deep in a story by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that focused on the Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters in … Continue reading Missouri budget plan includes $6 million to rebuild the bridge at Route 66 State Park

Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri

The Great Rivers Greenway is working with the Missouri State Parks Foundation to restore the long-closed Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka into a pedestrian and cycling span. The bridge's deck was removed more than 10 years ago to help keep the main structure from deteriorating further, and its future looked … Continue reading Great Rivers Greenway plans to restore bridge at Route 66 State Park in Missouri

Meramec River Bridge appears to get a reprieve

The endangered Meramec River Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Missouri, appears to have earned a reprieve from the wrecking ball. The Route 66 bridge that spanned the Meramec River at the now-ghost town of Times Beach was slated to be demolished by the Missouri Department of Transportation sometime in 2017 unless an entity raised … Continue reading Meramec River Bridge appears to get a reprieve

Memories of Times Beach persist more than 30 years later

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently published a story about Marilyn Leistner, who was the last mayor of Times Beach, Missouri, before the Route 66 town was deserted for good in 1983 because of dioxin contamination. Road contractor Russell Bliss used dioxin-laced oil to spread on dirt roads throughout the town. When the Meramec River flooded, … Continue reading Memories of Times Beach persist more than 30 years later

The result from the photo session at the Meramec River Bridge

On Saturday, Route 66 fans and preservationists were invited to the Route 66 State Park office near Eureka, Missouri, for a photo shoot at the Meramac River Route 66 Bridge for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “This Place Matters” campaign. Here is the result: The photo also is being used in the GoFundMe page for the bridge. Various … Continue reading The result from the photo session at the Meramec River Bridge

2016 will be make-or-break for Route 66 State Park bridge

With the Route 66 State Park bridge near Eureka, Missouri, facing an early 2017 deadline, the Great Rivers Greenway is raising funds in an effort save the bridge from demolition and even restore it. The $325,000 earmarked by the Missouri Department of Transportation for demolition in 2017 instead would be rolled into a restoration plan and the bridge deeded to the … Continue reading 2016 will be make-or-break for Route 66 State Park bridge

Route 66 Bridge makes Missouri Preservation’s Most Endangered List

The Route 66 Bridge at Route 66 State Park near Eureka, Missouri, made Missouri Preservation's Most Endangered Historic Places list for 2014, according to a news release Tuesday. The Diamonds Cafe, aka the Tri-County Truck Stop, also on Route 66 in Villa Ridge, also made the preservation group's Watched list for 2014. Here's what the … Continue reading Route 66 Bridge makes Missouri Preservation’s Most Endangered List