The Sidetrack Adventures channel -- which has produced a lot of good content to interest Route 66 buffs -- recently created a new video that explains how the U.S. government considered the use of nuclear bombs to build a new alignment of Route 66 through California's Mojave Desert. Yes, this proposal sounds stupefyingly dumb even … Continue reading How the U.S. government almost used nukes to build a new Route 66 in the Mojave Desert
Category: Highways
Arroyo Seco Parkway festival will open to pedestrians, cyclists for one day in October
Six miles of the historic Arroyo Seco Parkway in the Los Angeles region will open to pedestrians and cyclists -- with no cars or trucks -- as part of ArroyoFest on Oct. 29. The Los Angeles Times reports it will be the first time in 20 years that non-motorists will be able to explore one … Continue reading Arroyo Seco Parkway festival will open to pedestrians, cyclists for one day in October
Four U.S. lawmakers reintroduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Four U.S. representatives announced Monday they were reintroducing a bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois) and Grace Napolitano (D-California) reintroduced the legislation, with U.S. Reps. Jake LaTurner (R-Kansas) and Joe Neguse (D-Colorado) as original co-sponsors. According to the U.S. Congress website, the bill is H.R. 4338. … Continue reading Four U.S. lawmakers reintroduce bill to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail
Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial
The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are working on a plan to revitalize the pre-1937 stretch of Route 66, also known as El Camino Real and as part of the Santa Fe Loop, before the historic highway's centennial in 2026. KRQE-TV reported: Albuquerque city councilor Klarissa Peña introduced a resolution expanding the city’s Route … Continue reading Albuquerque area wants to revitalize original stretches of Route 66 before its centennial
Eight governors invited to join a consortium for Route 66 centennial planning
Governors from the eight states along historic Route 66 were invited Wednesday to sign onto a consortium that establishes a model for cooperation and partnerships across state lines so the Route 66 centennial anniversary in 2026 may reach its potential, according to a news release from New Mexico Tourism Department. The framework for the consortium … Continue reading Eight governors invited to join a consortium for Route 66 centennial planning
Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee
A severe storm Thursday night into Friday morning washed out a new bridge on Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee, New Mexico, prompting the closure of the road indefinitely. That's part of the 17-mile gravel-road alignment of Route 66 between the border ghost town of Glenrio and San Jon. An estimated seven inches … Continue reading Flash flooding closes Old Route 66 between San Jon and Endee
Local historian talks about Mrs. Orcutt and her home and driveway near Newberry Springs
Andy Jones interviewed local historian Paul Deel about his experiences with Bonnie Margaret Orcutt of Newberry Springs, California, as they explored the remains of her long-abandoned home. Jones said he was prompted to interview Deel after viewing a Sidetrack Adventures video, posted on this website, about Orcutt's infamous 4-mile-long driveway. Here's Jones' interview, which contains … Continue reading Local historian talks about Mrs. Orcutt and her home and driveway near Newberry Springs
Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced last week it was giving a $1 million grant to boost bicycle safety along a short stretch of Route 66 from Edmond to Arcadia, Oklahoma. It was part of $21.8 million in grants for 33 National Scenic Byways Program projects, according to a news release from … Continue reading Feds award $1M grant to improve Route 66’s bicycle safety from Edmond to Arcadia
Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66
Edmond, Oklahoma, and the Chicago community of North Lawndale are considering significant changes to their stretches of Route 66. The Oklahoman recently reported that Edmond is taking a hard look at Broadway south of downtown, which served as Route 66 from 1926 to 1954. Between Second and the south edge of town, the road is … Continue reading Edmond, North Lawndale consider changes to their sections of Route 66
40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66
The Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois, next month will install a 40-foot-long mural that honors that historic venue and Route 66, both of which will be marking their centennial in 2026. The Herald-News reports the Route 66 Rialto Twin Centennial Mural will be placed on the left side of the theater's entrance. Artist Dante … Continue reading 40-foot mural on Rialto Square Theatre will honor the historic venue and Route 66