Sapulpa planning a new access road to Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66

The city of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, is planning to build an extension of an existing highway later this spring so motorists can more easily access the old Ozark Trail alignment of Route 66 west of town.

The Sapulpa Times detailed upcoming work regarding Proposition 1, one of a series of bond projects approved by voters in January. The city’s public works director, Steve Hardt, gave an update on how bonds will be used to improve the city’s roads and bridges:

Hardt said that final plans were received on March 12th for the extension and update to Ozark Trail at the intersection of Highway 117 and Route 66 and that the project should be going to construction by the beginning of May. Widdoes noted that this, “dovetails nicely with the recent purchase of the old TeePee Drive-In,” which is expected to open in the Spring of 2022, as of the latest report from the new owner.

If Highway 117 went straight from its intersection with Oklahoma 66, it would cut through a portion of the TeePee Drive-In property. I’m assuming it won’t cut through that tract because of its eventual reopening, though emails to Hardt to clarify this went unanswered.

Regardless, a second access road near the east end of Ozark Trail is badly needed. Access at the entrance near the historic Rock Creek Bridge has been curbed due to lengthy closures of the span or weight limits. Diverting traffic from that century-old bridge would be a good thing. And a new road leading to the TeePee would make it more financially viable.

It was reported earlier this month the Kante Group purchased the TeePee Drive-In and initially planned to reopen it by summer. Given the deteriorated condition of the long-closed property, a spring 2022 reopening is a lot more realistic.

The TeePee was built in 1950. The last movie was shown there in 1999 or 2000.

This video from before the Proposition 1 vote also indicates the Rock Creek Bridge also would included in repairs, though I’ve found nothing in writing about it:

The 3.5-mile stretch of the original Ozark Trail west of Sapulpa served as Route 66 until 1952, when officials realigned the highway to the south. 

That old road is a window into the past, as this video I shot years ago shows:

(Image of the Rock Creek Bridge and a nearby railroad bridge by Ron Doke via Flickr)