“Small Town Big Deal” TV crew shooting episodes along Route 66

A crew from the "Small Town Big Deal" television program has shot along Route 66 in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma for several upcoming episodes. "Small Town Big Deal," hosted by Rodney Miller and Jann Carl, originated on RFD-TV and became the cable channel's highest-rated program. The show went into syndication and now airs on 160 … Continue reading “Small Town Big Deal” TV crew shooting episodes along Route 66

Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction

The closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri, was facing a spring deadline to find a new owner for the historic span or the Missouri Department of Transportation would advertise for bids to tear it down. That deadline is off the table, according to Joe Sonderman of the Route 66 Association of Missouri. He wrote … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge earns a reprieve from destruction

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

Missouri Route 66 association to begin talks to take ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

The Route 66 Association of Missouri plans to submit a formal proposal to the state by March 4 to take over ownership of the endangered Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. The association decided to try to make the move during a special meeting Saturday. The Missouri Department of Transportation has set a "drop-dead date" of … Continue reading Missouri Route 66 association to begin talks to take ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said Thursday on a video he wants the association to take over ownership of the endangered Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen. Dinkela said he's seeking a groundswell of support to persuade the Missouri association to approve his proposal at its board meeting Saturday afternoon at … Continue reading Route 66 Association of Missouri may take over ownership of Gasconade River Bridge

Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor

A member of the Route 66 Gasconade River Bridge Guardians met Thursday with Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe in an effort to buy more time for the endangered bridge near Hazelgreen. "Roamin'" Rich Dinkela, president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri, said in an online video later that day he didn't get a definitive … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge Guardian meets with the lieutenant governor

Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million

An engineering firm estimated it would cost at least $2.5 million to rehabilitate the closed Gasconade River Bridge near Hazelgreen, Missouri. Sparks Engineering of San Antonio issued a 16-page structural evaluation of the historic Route 66 bridge, which has been closed since December 2014. The Missouri Department of Transportation has stated it would tear down … Continue reading Gasconade River Bridge rehab costs estimated at $2.5 million

Will the Wishing Well Motor Inn’s sign be saved?

The closed Wishing Well Motor Inn in Springfield, Missouri, is slated to be demolished because it's no longer habitable and has become a nuisance. But the president of the Route 66 Association of Missouri hopes the motel's sign can be salvaged and restored. The motel at 3550 W. Chestnut Expressway (aka Route 66) was owned … Continue reading Will the Wishing Well Motor Inn’s sign be saved?

Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield

The owners of the soon-to-open Kum & Go convenience store at a corner in Springfield, Missouri, that contained an original stretch of Route 66 pledged it would pay tribute to the Mother Road. It appears to have kept that promise. Jonathan Sharp posted these pictures on Facebook of an elaborate neon sign on the side … Continue reading Neon sign installed at Kum & Go at old 66 section in Springfield

There’s a new Sheriff in Galena

A new attraction has been placed along old Route 66 in Galena, Kansas -- and the folks there are putting the Sheriff of Radiator Springs on a pedestal. A facsimile of the 1949 Mercury police car that served as the Sheriff of Radiator Springs in the 2006 animated film "Cars" now sits on lift above … Continue reading There’s a new Sheriff in Galena