The Oklahoma Route 66 Commission announced more than $6.6 million in grants, including improvements to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, a 66-foot dinosaur in Tulsa and multiple neon-sign initiatives. The grants, initially reported by the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, cover 13 Route 66-related projects in the Sooner State. More about the grants can be found … Continue reading New Oklahoma Route 66 grants go to Blue Whale improvements, giant dinosaur, neon projects
Category: Bridges
Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience
The Hydro Chamber of Commerce of Hydro, Oklahoma, announced the village had received a $496,000 grant from the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to build a "Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience." It will be built at the four-way stop at Route 66 and Highway 58, the north-south road leading into Hydro, and yards off … Continue reading Hydro wins $496,000 state grant to build Welcome to Hydro Route 66 Experience
Construction project west of Pony Bridge will close Route 66 for a few months starting Sept. 9
Less than a half-year after the Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, reopened to traffic, Route 66 will be closed for up to five months due to another bridge project. The Town of Bridgeport stated on Facebook a replacement project for the so-called Tower Bridge just west of the Pony Bridge will begin on Sept. 9. … Continue reading Construction project west of Pony Bridge will close Route 66 for a few months starting Sept. 9
New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Route 66 enthusiast Mike Curtis, aka 2 Lane Traveler on YouTube, recently created a 20-minute video detailing the changes on the Mother Road from 2007 to 2024. The video thumbnail comes with a provocative question: "Thriving or dying?" (Spoiler alert: Definitely not dying; Curtis asserts the old road is simply changing.) https://youtu.be/qpNoshXr-bY?si=_dsqhgfTLccLQgKs The video is … Continue reading New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21
A small but significant section of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, will be closed for about a year while a bridge is being replaced on the adjacent Turner Turnpike. The road closure will begin about Aug. 21, with detours onto county roads. Joe Echelle of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during a recent meeting provided details … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21
City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens
The City of Barstow, California, is hosting a special walk tomorrow over the historic North First Avenue Bridge before it is demolished and makes way for a new bridge in the coming weeks. The special walk will be at 9 a.m. local time Wednesday, according to an announcement from the city. The old bridge also … Continue reading City of Barstow hosting a special walk over North First Avenue Bridge before new bridge opens
Eads Bridge in St. Louis marks 150th year
The landmark Eads Bridge in St. Louis is marking the 150th anniversary of its completion, and it still is being used for vehicular and rail traffic all this time later. The nearby Gateway Arch National Park is hosting events and special programs through July 7 to mark the occasion. Special promotional items for the bridge's … Continue reading Eads Bridge in St. Louis marks 150th year
Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport reopens to traffic
The Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport, Oklahoma, reopened to traffic Friday after a celebration on the rehabbed span. Rhys Martin, president of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, said ODOT counted more than 350 vehicles at one point of the ceremony. He also shot the above image, which shows how crowded it was. Before … Continue reading Route 66 landmark Pony Bridge near Bridgeport reopens to traffic
Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
The restoration of the neon sign for the closed West Winds Motel in Erick, Oklahoma, is among the $6 million in grants recently awarded by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission. A list of the funds given from the state's Route 66 Revitalization Grant Program was posted in a document on the commission's website. Several grant … Continue reading Restoration of West Winds Motel sign in Erick among Oklahoma Route 66 Commission grants
Sapulpa gets $2 million state grant to build a Route 66-themed park
The City of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, will receive a $2 million state grant to construct a Route 66-themed park near the historic Rock Creek Bridge on the city's west side. Fox 23 in nearby Tulsa reports the city had been seeking to build such a park for a decade. Plans include benches, walking trails, a water … Continue reading Sapulpa gets $2 million state grant to build a Route 66-themed park