Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Route 66 Advocates Disappointed Over Lack of Preservation Funds
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
December 29, 2019

Share

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Congress has recessed for the holidays, and it has gone another year without passing legislation that would boost funding for Route 66.
The lack of movement on reauthorizing the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program means there will be no cost-share grants aimed at reviving old tourist spots in struggling towns where the Mother Road passed through.

“Having that federal aid that often provides a matching grant option really helps us leverage state and local dollars. So, it’s really critically important if we’re going to maintain this 2,448-mile stretch of road. We just have to have some help to do it.” — Ken Busby, executive director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Route 66 Alliance
The program has helped finance projects like rehabilitating parts of the historic Rialto Theatre in Winslow, Arizona, and the Rock Cafe restoration in Stroud, Oklahoma. It’s administered by the National Park Service.
Ken Busby, executive director of the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Route 66 Alliance, told Public Radio Tulsa the lack of dedicated federal funding for preservation work puts people trying to save the Mother Road in a tough spot.
“Having that federal aid that often provides a matching grant option really helps us leverage state and local dollars. So, it’s really critically important if we’re going to maintain this 2,448-mile stretch of road. We just have to have some help to do it,” Busby said.

One of the First Roads in the U.S. Highway System

Legislation to designate the Mother Road a National Historic Trail stalled in the House and Senate.
Route 66, also called the “Mother Road,” was born in 1926 after the Bureau of Public Roads launched the nation’s first federal highway system, bringing together existing local and state roads from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles. Small towns opened shops, motels and gas stations to pump revenue into local economies as the nation’s car culture took off.
One of the first roads in the U.S. highway system, the highway ran through eight states, connecting tourists with friendly diners in small towns.
The route changed a number of times through the years. It eventually became less of a destination thanks to new interstate highways.
The World Monuments Fund in 2008 listed Route 66 on the “Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

DON'T MISS

US Judge Blocks Trump From Shuttering Three Federal Agencies

DON'T MISS

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

DON'T MISS

Columbia University Lays off Nearly 180 Researchers Due to Trump Funding Cuts

DON'T MISS

Almost Half of Gazans Willing to Leave, Survey Finds

DON'T MISS

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Threatens Texas City Over Pro-Palestinian Resolution

DON'T MISS

Anti-Israel Boycott Bill Withdrawn from Congressional Vote

DON'T MISS

Ravens Release Justin Tucker After Accusations by Massage Therapists of Inappropriate Behavior

UP NEXT

Draymond Green’s Vow to Keep His Cool Helps Warriors Advance to in West Semis

UP NEXT

Ian Happ Homers as the Cubs Beat the Sloppy Giants

UP NEXT

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

UP NEXT

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

UP NEXT

Here’s Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day Across the Galaxy

UP NEXT

Military Parade on Trump’s Birthday Could Include More Than 6,500 Troops

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

2 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

2 hours ago

Columbia University Lays off Nearly 180 Researchers Due to Trump Funding Cuts

2 hours ago

Almost Half of Gazans Willing to Leave, Survey Finds

3 hours ago

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Threatens Texas City Over Pro-Palestinian Resolution

3 hours ago

Anti-Israel Boycott Bill Withdrawn from Congressional Vote

4 hours ago

Ravens Release Justin Tucker After Accusations by Massage Therapists of Inappropriate Behavior

4 hours ago

Carney Meets Trump in Bid to Reset Strained Canada-US Relations

4 hours ago

Draymond Green’s Vow to Keep His Cool Helps Warriors Advance to in West Semis

5 hours ago

Ian Happ Homers as the Cubs Beat the Sloppy Giants

5 hours ago

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. A reliable political axiom — at least in California —...

1 hour ago

1 hour ago

Clash Over Teen Sex Solicitation Reveals the Rift Within CA Democratic Party

Terry Lee Jackson is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for May 6, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Terry Lee Jackson

The U.S. flag, a judge gavel and a vintage scale are seen in this illustration taken August 6, 2024. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)
1 hour ago

US Judge Blocks Trump From Shuttering Three Federal Agencies

2 hours ago

Can Steve Brandau Help Rescue the Fresno County Transportation Tax Renewal?

A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. President Donald Trump with the LGBTQ flag in the background is seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
2 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Trump’s Transgender Military Ban Take Effect

A view of the main campus of Columbia University in New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2025. (REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo)
2 hours ago

Columbia University Lays off Nearly 180 Researchers Due to Trump Funding Cuts

Smoke rises from Gaza, as seen from the Israel, May 6, 2025. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
3 hours ago

Almost Half of Gazans Willing to Leave, Survey Finds

3 hours ago

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Threatens Texas City Over Pro-Palestinian Resolution

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend