The Oklahoma Department of Transportation recently issued pavement-marking guidelines for cities and counties along Route 66 before the highway’s centennial in 2026.
According to an ODOT news release posted by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, the guidance came after several entities requested it.
The 21-foot by 8-foot black and white markings will be approved by the department for the historical alignment of Route 66 and will be done in partnership with cities and counties. Each entity will pay for pavement markings in their area. For safety, the markings are intended for installation on sections with a speed of 35 mph or less and they cannot be spaced any closer than one per lane per mile.
The department worked closely with cities, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and the Route 66 Alliance in association with the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission in developing the standards. […]
The markings will be uniform statewide with the exception that cities and counties may add their name into the design after their application is accepted. The department will work with cities to connect them with vendors to provide installation estimates. […]
Entities along the route also are encouraged to find a nearby location for additional pavement markings such as a parking lot adjacent to the route to provide a safe location for the public to take photos with the markers. Taking selfies with the markers on highways is unsafe and discouraged.
The guidelines come after ODOT added 400 directional signs along Route 66 starting last year.
Allowing the painting of Route 66 shields on the highway is a welcome effort to guide travelers. In Rutgers University’s poll of Route 66 travelers, the No. 1 complaint was the lack of signs.
(Image from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s pavement-painting guidelines for Route 66)