10/28/2009 6:00:00 AM
AZ Route 66 proud to be an 'American'
| |
|
KINGMAN - In a nation built on freedom of movement, no roadway has captured the American spirit quite like Route 66. For decades, the people of Kingman have been able to recognize the Mother Road's unique character, from its post-war glory days as the nation's main drag to its present incarnation as a living museum of the small-town Americana of yesteryear.
And now, more than 80 years since its establishment, Arizona's stretch of Route 66 has received the National Scenic Byways Program's highest designation, that of an "All-American Road." The designation was announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood earlier this month, adding Arizona's section of Route 66 to an elite cadre of only 37 roads in the country that are considered "destinations unto themselves," according to the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.
"These routes continue to offer Americans exciting new opportunities to explore this nation, whether they travel close to home or across the country," LaHood said upon the announcement. "By enriching the National Scenic Byways Program with their own unique historical or aesthetic quality, these new additions help our national road system tell our country's history."
Authorized by Congress in 1991, the National Scenic Byways Program was formed as a means to help preserve, enhance and recognize those roads across the country with outstanding archeological, cultural, historic, scenic and recreational qualities. The program currently recognizes 151 roads as National Scenic Byways - Route 66 in Arizona joined the list in 2006 after exhaustive lobbying by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.
"It's quite a lengthy process," said the association's byway leader, Sharlene Fouser. "You have to first become a state historic road, then you have to write a corridor management plan."
The corridor management plan, or CMP, is a document that details the reasoning behind designating the byway, including the goals of each community along the route, as well as how to promote it and who will take responsibility. Fouser said the CMP for Arizona's Route 66 took more than five years to develop before being accepted. "The association's been putting a lot of work towards this for a lot of years," she said.
But it may all be worth it in the end, since receiving a National Scenic Byway designation enables communities to apply for a portion of the $40 million in improvement and renovation grants administered by the NSBP each year. In fact, since Route 66 was first designated a National Scenic Byway, the amount of grant money Arizona has received rose each year to more than $1 million in 2009, with nearly a quarter of that going toward Kingman's Powerhouse Visitor Center.
"That's the most we've ever received," Fouser said. "These designations are what open the door for these grants."
But now that Route 66 is an All-American Road, the highest possible NSBP designation, Fouser said that means communities like Kingman may be given greater priority for future grant money. In addition, All-American Roads receive more attention in the NSBP's promotional literature, meaning the designation could prompt a new influx of tourists into the area.
"When you're one of only 37 in the entire nation, that's pretty significant," said Tom Spear, executive vice president for the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. "When a potential tourist looks at a map of the byways and All-American Roads, the All-American roads definitely carry more significance. It definitely highlights you more in the materials that the Department of Transportation puts out."
|
Posted: Thursday, October 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Icarus
Route 66 is a cool piece of Americana and it would be great if people put more oddities on it. I know when you pass the airport there is a full size buffalo sculpture on the left and if you keep going past Valle Vista there is a lot of artwork (including a big green tiki head) at the little store there, and of course there is the Hackberry general store past that which has TONS of neat stuff. If you can't express yourself on Route 66 you can't do it anywhere.
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
rt 66 was a great idea back when people thought, now all the little mom/pop rip off store's are milking it for all they can at tax payers expense, I think it ought to just be returned to a dirt road and walking trail, for dirt bike,all ter vehicals a so non,
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Dirty Harry Coming Thru!
@ John Reid -- Within your comment you state the very reason that your proposed solution is not viable. While Andy Devine (66) is only a 4-lane with center turn and already taxed near capacity -- to funnel all the straight-ahead traffic into one lane so John Reid has a clear shot to home strikes me as a little self-serving.
Like the signs say, John, "Share the Road" -- that means take your turn when your turn comes and try a little consideration and patience. The right turn lane may come -- it may not. The road is a place that we all have a right to share -- that is unless you are waving a .38 special. Then you have the right of way, good buddy -- at least temporarily.
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Donald
What an interesting and entertaning story! Like DaveG,around the same time, I drove from St. Louis all the way to Santa Monica.
In those days you knew when an 18 wheeler was nearby from the noise of its engine. I drove a 1964 Volkswagen, and when a truck aproached from the opposite direction, the car would be shaken by wind created by the truck. That of course was because of the two lanes most of the road had along most of its entirety.
Mr. Chilton, kudos to you for such a well researched and informative story. I'm sure that to the old geezers, such as yours truly, it brings back many fond memories. Thank You.
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
John Reid
Please help control traffic congestion in Kingman! We have several congested intersections in town. One is Rt66 and Stockton Hill/Hualapai Mtn. Every day I see a line of cars (every direction) trying to turn right, but blocked by a motorist waiting to go straight. If you want to drive through the intersection, PLEASE stay in the center lane! There is artificial congestion because the drivers cannot use the road system wisely. The left lane is for left turn only. The center lane is for straight traffic only (with the obvious exception), but the right lane is available for right on red or straight through the intersection. Please consider your driving habits and the impact to your town and the other drivers. PLEASE leave the right lane free for right on red turning movements. THX
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Oh Goody and whats Kingman to do with Rte 66? Why they want to turn it into a heavy industrial area, starting with a biodiesel plant. How aesthetically pleasing!
Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Article comment by:
DaveG
I had the pleasure of riding Route 66 all the way from St. Louis to Flagstaff, back in 1966! At the time I didn't know I was driving a route that was destined to be a celebrated highway! Who would have known that Highway 66 would be celebrated by anyone! It was a tension filled journey, being two lane most of the way and packed with traffic of all sorts!
I must admit, tho'; it was entertaining. Clever billboards, every foot of the way; and of course those humorous "Burma-Shave" signs and weird attractions! At that time, I really didn't have any idea that I would ever be happy that I had the opportunity to ride the "Mother Road", to the wild west! Been here ever since!
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
