A bicycle and pedestrian trail is being proposed next to Route 66 from the eastern edge of Springfield, Mo., to the nearby community of Strafford, according to a document by the Ozark Transportation Organization’s Journey 2035 long-range transportation plan.
This video shows an image of Route 66 next to modern-day Strafford, which then melts into an artist’s rendering of the bike trail:
The description of the video says:
The main transportation improvement shown here is the addition of a trail paralleling Route 66 along the south. This trail is intended to connect Springfield, through Strafford, to the ball fields at Farm Road 249 on the east end of Strafford. The additional land use changes are inspired by the Route 66 Corridor Management Plan, as well as Strafford’s DREAM Plan for their downtown.
According to Google Maps, Farm Road 249 would be 8.5 miles to U.S. 65 in Springfield, which is where the proposed bike trail would stop.
As I’ve said before, public sentiment to create bicycle-friendly trails or lanes along Route 66 continues to grow. And if local governments are willing to contribute to that effort, it will make it easier for a cross-country bike trail to be established on the Mother Road.