Roamin’ Rich presents an alternative option for restoring Sidewalk Highway

Roamin’ Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, recently proposed an alternative option for preserving the nearly century-old Sidewalk Highway in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Dinkela, who owns a paving company in the St. Louis area, said in a Facebook video a few days ago he modified an earlier plan for the Sidewalk … Continue reading Roamin’ Rich presents an alternative option for restoring Sidewalk Highway

County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail

Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is proceeding with a preservation plan for the nearly century-old stretch of Route 66, also known as the Ribbon Road or Sidewalk Highway, that may include a cycling or pedestrian trail next to it. KSN/KODE-TV reported: It will feature a walking, biking, and hiking trail alongside the historic Mother Road.Ottawa County Commissioner, … Continue reading County to proceed with preservation plan for Sidewalk Highway, bike trail

Four options presented to restore Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma

Ottawa County, Oklahoma, is considering four options for restoring the nearly century-old Sidewalk Highway, aka Ribbon Road, that once carried Route 66 from Miami to Afton. KOAM-TV presented the options in a recent report: OPTION #1: Widening- adds 16 feet to top width; keeps original concrete and asphalt section; rebuilds existing gravel shoulders into new … Continue reading Four options presented to restore Sidewalk Highway in Oklahoma

More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy

Those hoping old Route 66 between Essex and Amboy, California, would reopen to traffic by September after bridge repairs may have to wait longer — storms damaged more than a dozen bridges in that stretch last week. Mazin Kasey of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works said in an email Monday that 14 … Continue reading More bridges washed out between Essex and Amboy

Two senators introduce Route 66 National Historic Trail legislation

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced legislation today that would name Route 66 a National Historic Trail under the National Park Service. The bill is S.3609, known as the Route 66 Historic Trail Designation Act. The U.S. House of Representatives advanced similar legislation earlier this year. According to a news release … Continue reading Two senators introduce Route 66 National Historic Trail legislation

Part of Route 66 in Mojave Desert to be closed until mid-September

A portion of Route 66 that runs through the Mojave Desert just east of Amboy, California, will be closed through mid-September because of bridge construction. San Bernardino County published a news release Monday in the Desert Dispatch newspaper, based in Barstow, California: San Bernardino County Public Works will be constructing two new bridges and road … Continue reading Part of Route 66 in Mojave Desert to be closed until mid-September

Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami

Officials in Miami, Oklahoma, want to use a Rails to Trails project to help rehabilitate the historic stretch of the 9-foot-wide Sidewalk Highway of Route 66 between Miami and Afton, Oklahoma. KSNF-TV reported the four-phase project will involve an eight-mile route across Ottawa County and the Neosho River, near Miami. The project will also incorporate … Continue reading Rails to Trails project to involve Sidewalk Highway near Miami

66,000 signatures sought for Route 66 National Historic Trail petition

The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership and the National Trust for Historic Preservation this week announced a goal of 66,000 signatures for a petition supporting the designation of Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. The groups stated in a news released they want to meet that goal by Nov. 11, which is the widely … Continue reading 66,000 signatures sought for Route 66 National Historic Trail petition

Section of original 66 in Marshfield to become roadside park

A section of original Route 66 in Marshfield, Missouri, will be converted into a roadside park after the state abandons it as a part of State Highway CC. The Marshfield Board of Alderman recently voted to hire the Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc. engineering firm draw up plans for the park, reported the Marshfield Mail newspaper. … Continue reading Section of original 66 in Marshfield to become roadside park

What path would the Route 66 National Historic Trail take?

Someone on a Route 66 thread on Facebook — I don’t remember where — recently wondered what alignments would be covered in the proposed Route 66 National Historic Trail being considered by Congress. The bill, H.B. 801, states the trail “includes all the alignments of U.S. Highway 66 in existence between 1926 and 1985, extending … Continue reading What path would the Route 66 National Historic Trail take?