Proposed Route 66 legislation excites local enthusiast

Posted on February 16, 2017
Route 66 and Abe
The pieces of legislation could mean good things for the Route 66 Visitors Center in Bloomington. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – A pair of federal bills would make Route 66 a National Historic Trail, and create a Route. 66 100th anniversary committee.

The bills come from U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria). The pieces of legislation are drawing excitement from Terri Ryburn, a local Rt. 66 enthusiast who wrote her dissertation on the mother road.

“Anything that shines a light on Route. 66 as a transportation corridor and a cultural corridor, I think, is a positive thing,” she said.

Route 66’s 100th anniversary isn’t for another ten years. Ryburn loved the idea of having so much time to prepare a celebration.

McLean County Museum of History Executive Director Beth Whisman said the legislation would be great news for the Rt. 66 Visitors Center.

“It changes the game in how we’re able to communicate not only nationally, but internationally, the value of Route 66 as a tourism destination as well as an economic driver for communities,” Whisman said.

LaHood said in news release Route 66 has been a crucial transportation artery in the U.S. and it’s time it gets the national recognition it deserves.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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