Pony Bridge update on Sep 11, 2024 at 1:53:32 pm [Print]

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Just got a report from a recent visitor that the road across the pony bridge will remain open until 9-16 (according to a sign).It was due to have closed Monday Sept 9. So they must have moved the date back.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES on Sep 11, 2024 at 1:35:16 pm [Print]

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If headed to CA now (and in the near future) be sure to check ahead for info on the current wildfire situation in the mountains near San Bernardino. There are currently fires east and west of the I-15/66 corridor, for example. Even if the fires do not directly affect 66, there are reports of heavy smoke and ash, so be prepared for bad air quality (which may extend east into AZ). Residents of affected communities are being evacuated, so area motels may fill. Don't drive into heavy smoke if you can't see ahead.

Seligman AZ on Sep 05, 2024 at 3:49:24 pm [Print]

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Just saw a FB report of on going repaving near seligman AZ, involving "gravel, tar and delays". The commenter turned back to seligman and joined I40. If headed west they missed one of best sections off 66! Personally, I would put up with the inconvenience to drive from Seligman to Kingman and avoid 40!

bump Bug ranch moved on Sep 04, 2024 at 1:38:45 pm [Print]

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Bug Ranch has expanded and moved from Conway TX to the RV park just west of the Big Texan in Amarillo on the I-40 north frontage road. ONLY paint the cars...NOT the sidewalks, etc!

66 CLOSED AT WELLSTON...USE LOCAL DETOUR on Sep 03, 2024 at 7:09:12 pm [Print]

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UPDATE: GO TO EZ66 GUIDE TO ROUTE 66 on FB for a MAP of this detour.

After 71 years of carrying Turner Turnpike traffic over Route 66 on the east side of Wellston, OK, this battered and rusty old overpass (and the stretch of 66 that passed under it) is now CLOSED.

This closure will last about a year while they build a temp road to carry all 4 lanes of heavy I-44 traffic off this antique structure, then tear it down, build NEW spans, revise the off/onramps, etc.

But the good news for Route 66 travelers is that the brand new paved LOCAL detour is open and is an easy to drive 3 miles (plus 1 more mile to head back east on 66 so you can visit Butcher BBQ and follow 66B (original 66) thru Wellston (downtown murals and restored Captain Creek Bridge).

The city of Wellston encourages you to take the local detour. There is even a sign posted for westbound traffic at the closure that tells you to use the local detour to get to Butcher BBQ and On Cue in Wellston.

Ignore (but see below) the OK 66 DETOUR signs at US 177 or HWY 102 and continue on 66 to the marked local detour. It will take you about 7-9 minutes or so (depending on if you catch the stoplight controlling traffic over a narrow bridge). Don't speed (traffic may be impatient with you).!

This shorter detour is NOT FOR BIG HEAVY TRUCKS AND RVs. There is supposedly a weight/size limit, but not yet posted. If you are in something big, use the 30 mile detour via US 177/US 62 and OK HWY 102, or use I-44/Toll Rd, but check beforehand for the status of off/on ramps at Wellston.

AMARILLO ROADWORK AFFECTS CADILLAC RANCH on Aug 29, 2024 at 7:06:53 pm [Print]

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ONGOING CONSTRUCTION AFFECTING ACCESS TO CADILLAC RANCH
here's another detour/closure in Texas that i am jusy now getting notice of (began earlier this month).
There is ongoing construction to replace the Hope rd bridge over I-40 on the west side of Amarillo (at Exits 62A and 62B).
This will last into 2025, and will, intermittently at times, affect the following:
# I-40 westbound frontage road from Helium Rd to BL-40
# Westbound BL-40 to I-40 frontage Rd exit ramp
# I-40 westbound entrance ramp from hope Rd
# I-40 eastbnound exit ramp 62A to Hope Rd
# I-40 south frontage road from eastbound exit ramp 62A to Hope Rd intersection
# Eastbound exit ramp 62B for Amarillo Blvd
Whew! Got all that?

If you follow the directions in the EZ 66 Guide along Indian Hill Rd you SHOULD (we hope) miss all the construction (see map TX page-14)
You can then cross over I-40 at Arnot Rd and head back east to visit Cad Ranch, then U-turn back to Arnot Rd (this is what the official Cadillac Ranch FB page recommends. Not sure how easy a turn around in a big RV or towing a trailer would be. Therre IS a wide pull-off along the frontage road for visitors.

At times, access to the 2ND AMENDMENT COWBOY, east of Cad Ranch at the intersection of Hope Rd and the South side I-40 Frontage rd may be impaired by construction.
Curently there is other roadwork on I-40 in Amarillo. Best to use 66 (as in the EZ 66 Guide) thru town.

GRAND CANYON WATER ISSUES on Aug 29, 2024 at 3:10:35 am [Print]

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Due to water supply problems, the lodging, etc at the south rim of the grand Canyon will be closed. Check ahead to see about your reservations until this is resolved.
" Overnight stay at Grand Canyon hotels and lodges is closed starting tomorrow and strict water restrictions are being put in place due to waterline breaks."

ST LOUIS ARCH on Aug 29, 2024 at 3:08:53 am [Print]

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The lights of the arch will not be lit during September 2024

McLEAN TO ALANREED TEXAS DETOUR on Aug 29, 2024 at 2:58:40 am [Print]

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Yet another detour.

On TX-page 6, to get to Alanreed from McLean (or visa versa) you will need to follow BUS 40 west out of town to join I-40 westbound (EXIT 141) and take the interstate to Alanreed (EXIT 135).

EB, join I-40 at Alanreed via EXIT 135 and take I-40 to Mclean (hopefully the overpass for the EASTBOUND off ramp from I-40 to Bus 40/66 into McLean will be open. If not, use EXIT 142.)

The I-40 overpass between Exit 141 and exit 142 is being worked on, so they have closed the access road to old 66 below, necessitating the detour, which may last 6 months.

See the map of the DIRT 66 OPTION on TX page-5. This detour does not affect using Hwy 273 to drop south to CO RD BB (it DOES block CO RD 26, buit that is not part of the option).

Thanks to Brady and other good folks from the TX 66 Assoc!.

DETOUR AZ page-14 on Aug 23, 2024 at 10:01:21 pm [Print]

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Starting August 26, 2024, a DETOUR lasting up to 65 days will be in effect between Parks and Williams, Arizona.

This
short detour will be marked. here's details:

WB traffic (from Parks, AZ) will turn (LEFT/SOUTH) on Sherwood Forest Rd, then RIGHT/WEST on E Pittman Valley Rd and RIGHT/NORTH up Cool Pines Rd to I-40 EXIT 171. From there, take I-40 to Williams, OR use GRAVEL OPTION 2.

EB: Take EXIT 171 (if not on the Gravel Option), turn RIGHT (SOUTH) on Cool Pines Rd, then LEFT(EAST) on E Pittman Valley Rd, and LEFT (NORTH) on Sherwood Forest Rd, crossing I-40. Once back at 66, turn RIGHT (EAST) to Pines, AZ.
Drive carefully and watch speed limits on the short detour (You could get on I-40 at Parks and continue to Williams, but the drive west from Parks is nice)

This detour actually uses part of the earlier (pre 1930) alignment of US 66 via Pitman Rd!

See Jim Ross Deep track AZ map #47 at jimross66.com: