A drive over the Lake Overholser Bridge December 28, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Bridges, Preservation, Vehicles.1 comment so far
This YouTube poster drove his old Mustang over the recently restored Lake Overholser Bridge, which carries old Route 66 in Oklahoma City:
The 1924 bridge was reopened to traffic in October after a $4 million repair project.
NOTE: Skip ahead to the 3:00 mark to see the relevant footage. I tried to embed it to that point, but it’s not working consistently. Also, there’s a bit of profanity in the very beginning of the clip.
Foothill bridge in Rancho Cucamonga dedicated December 8, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, bicycling, Bridges.add a comment
Officials in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., on Wednesday celebrated the recent completion of a pedestrian and cycling bridge over Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66), reported the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
The bridge over the roadway now carries the 7.5-mile Pacific Electric Trail.
The newspaper’s report didn’t include a photo. However, this artist’s rendering shows what the bridge and a nearby park will look like when they’re all done:
The newspaper also said:
A Route 66 Trailhead Park, which features a historical timeline, remnant of the old bridge and a piece of the original Route 66 pavement, is also expected to be finished next month.
Artwork on the bridge depicting historic cars, states that Route 66 passes and scenes from California and Illinois, the end points of the Mother Road, is scheduled to be complete by March.
Partridge Creek Bridge December 1, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Bridges.add a comment
Here’s a new video of an old alignment of Route 66 that includes the Partridge Creek Bridge in Arizona, west of Ash Fork.
The bridge is known to Route 66 travelers because a tree grows from one end of the bridge.
According to noted blogger Mr. Zip, this alignment served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1965. The bridge itself dates to the 1920s.
At one point two years ago, this alignment appeared to be in danger of redevelopment. At the least, these plans seem to have been delayed, probably because of the poor economy in Arizona.
Lake Overholser Bridge November 28, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Bridges, Music, Preservation.add a comment
The historic Lake Overholser Bridge in western Oklahoma City was reopened to traffic a few weeks ago, as this new video clip shows:
Music is by The Road Crew.
UPDATE: Concidentally, here’s another angle from the bridge that was just posted from another YouTube account:
Progress report on Rancho’s Route 66 Trailhead November 9, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Attractions, Bridges.add a comment
Construction on the Route 66 Trailhead in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has been ongoing. That’s where an old overpass was replaced, and a new overpass is being built as part of the Pacific Electric Trail. Foothill Boulevard (aka Route 66) also is being widened. The old overpass is being used in a park nearby.
Kevin Hansel, a longtime roadie in the Los Angeles area, sent these pictures a few days ago of the construction project. That includes the new overpass:
More about the project can be seen in this animated video:
A closer look at Lincoln’s Ghost Bridge November 2, 2011
Posted by Ron Warnick in Bridges, Ghosts and Mysteries, Preservation, Restaurants.add a comment
Alas, the Decatur (Ill.) Herald & Review didn’t post this until after the event. But this video shows the legendary Ghost Bridge of Route 66 in Lincoln, Ill., and the Ghost Bridge Walk that became a fundraiser for The Mill in Lincoln.
Bridge soon will be replaced near Carthage October 31, 2011
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The bridge over the Spring River northeast of Carthage, Mo., will be torn down and replaced starting in late spring 2012, reported the Joplin Globe, impacting Route 66 travel in that area.
The bridge carries Missouri Highway 96 (aka Route 66) over the Spring River. The bridge’s deck rating by the Missouri Department of Transportation has fallen to a 3. A 2 rating would force the bridge to be closed to traffic.
Eden said MoDOT hopes the bridge will not be out of service too long. Plans are to have it open before school starts next fall. “We will do everything we can to make sure that happens,” she said.
The detour will leave Highway 96 at Highway 37 (Avilla), go south to Jasper County Route E, east to Missouri 571, and then into Carthage. Detours can be routed only along state roads, Eden said, but local residents can choose more convenient detours.
According to BridgeHunter.com, the Spring River Bridge was built in 1953. That bridge is not the same as the distinctive 1934 Missouri 96 railroad bridge northeast of town.
Keeping historic Route 66 and its city plan in mind, the City of Carthage is urging MoDOT to construct a distinctive-looking bridge, such as an arched span. MoDOT says it’s cash-strapped, but would consider such a proposal if the city or some other entity would provide the funding.