The Route 66 Association of Kansas recently announced it will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of renovations to the century-old Marsh Arch Bridge (aka Rainbow Bridge) near Baxter Springs, Kansas.
The ceremony will be at 1 p.m. that day.
The association uploaded a bunch of before-and-after images of the refurbished bridge.
The paint removal of the bridge was done by JT’s Pro Pressure Washing of nearby Joplin, Missouri.
The structure also received epoxy, sealer and long-term paint to help preserve it for many more years.
The county received a $25,000 Attraction Development grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to help pay for the refurbishment.
The county also designated $112,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the bridge’s maintenance.
Here are more recent images of the work on the span:
The bridge was closed to traffic for about three weeks while the work was being performed.
The Marsh Arch Bridge marked its 100th anniversary in December 2023.
In the mid-1990s, local preservationists managed to have the old bridge bypassed with a new section of road built just east of the span.
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this was one of the memorable stops along 66. I tried to imagine the old timers making the trip, I’m happy there are people who appreciate what those who came before us accomplished.