Route 66 Detour in Missouri

For all of you planning a trip on 66 this summer 2012, be advised that the Missouri Department of Transportation will be letting a contract this Spring to replace the Hwy. 96 (Route 66) bridge just east of town. The work is expected to last all summer, and possibly into the early Fall depending on weather delays.

Naturally this is of great concern for several local Route 66 businesses including the Pancake Hut, several old motor courts, Red Oak II and the Boots Motel (which hopes to open this Spring).

Traffic from the East will be detoured South near Avilla, then into South Carthage. Traffic from the West will be detoured South of Carthage, re-entering Hwy 96 near Avilla. Both detours will bypass the Boots Motel and several good local restaurants for three to four months!

The Route 66 Chamber will petition the City to allow for the placement of temporary Route 66 detour signs that will allow travelers to continue through Carthage on 66 using several local streets that will bypass the construction. The MDOT will likely not place such detour signs on state roads, but the City of Carthage may choose to do this. According to MDOT, their detour signs will also indicate an exception for “Local Traffic”, allowing 66 travelers to proceed into Carthage, however this may be confusing for many who may feel compelled to take the MDOT detour.

More details on this situation will be posted soon, for for those making plans now, just remember to consider yourselves “Local Traffic” and continue on 66 into Carthage where the posted “66 detour” will take you off-the-Route for only 2 minutes! Thanks

(courtesy of Ron Hart)