Kevin Klowden of the Milken Institute wrote in an opinion piece today on the Fox & Hounds Daily blog, proclaiming that one way to stimulate a flagging U.S. economy is to reinvest in Route 66 and thus boost tourism.
That sounds good at first glance. But then Klowden veers in this direction — he wants to recertify U.S. Highway 66.
The idea isn’t without precedent. Across the country are several effective pairings of an older U.S. highway with a newer interstate: Interstate 91 and U.S. Route 5 in New England; I-65 and U.S. 31 in much of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee; and from Washington D.C. to St. Louis, I-70 and U.S. 40 work in tandem along the route of the old National Road.
This idea to recertify U.S. 66 has been brought up before — and quickly shot down. The biggest reason cited is that original segments of Route 66 and businesses would be adversely affected by having to conform to U.S. highway regulations.
With recertification, narrow old highway made of original Portland cement would have to be widened, thus destroying its historic characteristics. That old 1930s bridge? It would have to be replaced with a modern bridge. That business that’s been next to the highway for 70 years? It would have to be moved.
And piggybacking Route 66 onto an interstate highway would be opposed by many roadies. Route 66ers do have to travel somewhat on the interstates simply because it’s unavoidable in some areas, especially in Arizona and New Mexico. But because the rise of the interstates signaled the decline of U.S. 66, having the superslab signed as such would prove distasteful indeed.
Roadies generally are supportive of government-backed support programs for the Mother Road. The Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is a good example.
But you’re never going to gain the support of an idea that would alter Route 66’s unique atmosphere. And that’s what Klowden’s idea would do.