The fabled Oatman Road stretch of Route 66 that connects to Oatman, Arizona, may see up to $2 million in improvements.
According to KNAU radio:
Two project proposals were submitted earlier this month by the Public Works Department in Mohave County with about $1.3 million going towards construction of safety measures like rumble strips and edge lines.
The other project would provide half-a-million dollars towards guardrail improvements.
Anyone who has traveled that stretch of Route 66 likely would welcome any sort of safety improvements. About a 10-mile stretch of that road contains dozens of switchbacks, 15 mph speed limits and deep ravines.
The Mohave County board of supervisors is scheduled to vote on the proposals next week. The report states the work would affect 48 miles of roadway.
(Hat tip to Brian Gregory; image of Oatman Road at Sitgreaves Pass near Oatman, Arizona, by Hawthorn M. via Flickr)
I’ve driven that road going east to west in the afternoon. Actually quite terrifying, since I never knew if anyone would be coming the other way around one of the many blind curves. Not sure if anything can be done about that (mirrors?) but happy to hear improvements are planned!
Leave it alone. Why destroy the character of this neat road? Sissies can go back down the hill and drive around on the interstate. The whole damn world doesn’t need to be padded and idiot-proofed.