|
“Route 66 is more than just a highway. It's a symbol of the transformative power of transportation and how infrastructure can shape a nation.”
- Sean McMaster
Federal Highway Administrator
Federal, state and local leaders gathered Thursday to kick off Missouri’s Route 66 Centennial in honor of the iconic highway’s 100th anniversary. The event was hosted in Springfield, which is also considered the birthplace of this historic route. Learn more about the route's history on the Route 66 Centennial website.
100 years ago, Route 66 was designated as one of the original federal highways, running from Chicago to Santa Monica. Known as America's "Mother Road", it helped usher in business expansion, connect rural and urban communities and shape the culture and economy of the time. Today, its legacy lives on with the expansion and improvements along the route's modern successor: Interstate 44.
While the I-44 corridor has largely replaced Route 66, aside from some remaining historic designations, the interstate still serves as a vital east-west freight corridor across the state and evolves the 100-year-old vision of connecting the growing communities and industries in the region.
Springfield's ongoing Forward 44 project is moving Missouri forward with new bridges and wider, newer interstate lanes to help reduce congestion, improve safety and support freight movement along this critical national corridor. It also continues the route's history of connectivity by way of a new pedestrian underpass and trail connections, encouraging travelers to once again embark on new frontiers.
Learn more on the Forward 44 project page.
| 
