About 150 miles of Route 66 from Needles, California, to Barstow, California, was officially announced Tuesday as a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration. Over 300 miles of Missouri's Route 66 also attained All-American Road status, which means it contains features that do not exist elsewhere in the United States and is unique … Continue reading California’s Route 66 from Needles to Barstow officially becomes a Scenic Byway
Category: Highways
Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass
The team behind the recently constructed Camp Cajon Monument in Southern California's Cajon Pass recently offered tours of Camp Cajon and other sites along the famed mountain path. The monument itself sits at the south end of Wagon Train Road, near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Highway 138. The monument was dedicated in 2019 to … Continue reading Camp Cajon team begins offering field trips of historical sites in Cajon Pass
U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the Route 66 Centennial Commission Act, advancing it to the office of President Donald Trump for his signature. Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership that shepherded the bill, said in a news release Tuesday the House suspended its regular rules to … Continue reading U.S. House approves Route 66 centennial bill, which awaits president’s signature
Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
The Joliet City Council on Monday marked the official reopening of North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet, Illinois, along with officials from the Joliet City Center Partnership, Joliet Chamber of Commerce and Will County. According to The Times Weekly: “This is an exciting day for all of Joliet as we reopen an iconic street in … Continue reading Joliet officially reopens Chicago Street, an original alignment of Route 66
AAA Oklahoma to launch early celebration of Route 66’s centennial
AAA Oklahoma will get an early start on the 2026 centennial of Route 66 by launching the U.S. 66 Road Fest event from Tulsa to Oklahoma City next year. According to a news release from AAA, the festival starting in mid-June 2021 also will include all the communities along Route 66's 420 miles in the Sooner … Continue reading AAA Oklahoma to launch early celebration of Route 66’s centennial
Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, added to National Register of Historic Places
About 30 miles of Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, from the Oklahoma border to the Gray County line has been designated to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing was effective Sept. 22, according to an email from the National Park Service. The email states the historic designation covers the south outer road … Continue reading Route 66 in Wheeler County, Texas, added to National Register of Historic Places
Adams Street Bridge in downtown Chicago to close Monday until 2022
The Adams Street Bridge over the Kennedy Expressway in downtown Chicago will close starting Monday as part of ongoing work on the Jane Byrne Interchange project. Adams Street is part of the westbound alignment of Route 66 in the Windy City. Block Club Chicago reported: The Adams Street bridge, the last of the 11 local … Continue reading Adams Street Bridge in downtown Chicago to close Monday until 2022
Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
The San Bernardino County board of supervisors recently approved a nearly $2.5 million engineering contract to build 10 new bridges on old Route 66 near Amboy and Essex, California.' The board earlier this month awarded the contract from several bidders to Dokken Engineering of Folsom, California. According to county documents, it's anticipated the bridges will … Continue reading Engineering pact approved for 10 new Route 66 bridges in Amboy, Essex areas
Oklahoma Route 66 Association prods senator to reintroduce National Historic Trail bill
The Oklahoma Route 66 Association is prodding a U.S. senator to reintroduce a bill that would designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. Rhys Martin, president of the association, sent out an email to members this week to contact U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and urge him to reintroduce a bill similar to Senate Bill … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association prods senator to reintroduce National Historic Trail bill
Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”
Prolific author Stephen H. Provost this spring released two books barely two months apart about the early history of American roads and the so-called golden age of U.S. highways. "America's First Highways" delves into the pre-1926 era when the nation's main roads -- including a precursor to Route 66 -- were named and not numbered. … Continue reading Books review: “Yesterday’s Highways” and “America’s First Highways”