For those who intend to travel this summer, six states that are traversed by the legendary Route 66 Improvements have won government funding to boost tourism along the route.
According to Travel + Leisure, the National Scenic Byways Program received a number of federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation.
The funds will be used to improve and develop locations along Route 66 with a focus on coming travel and tourist trends.
“FHWA is proud to award these grants that will help make travel safer, provide more enjoyable access, and support local businesses along scenic byways across the country.”
administrator Shailen Bhatt
“Scenic routes provide myriad ways to explore the United States, and it’s no wonder that since its inception in 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has received broad support from Members of Congress, State and local officials and the public,” Bhatt continued.
JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, said that the state has given $3.7 million to seven organizations for the growth of tourism, education, preservation, and promotion in the run-up to Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
In order to make this section of Route 66 safer for vehicles and bicycles, Oklahoma got about $1 million to widen the historic road with an additional lane and install eight-foot shoulders.
The upgrades are a part of the National Scenic Byways Program, which provided grants totaling $21.8 million to 29 states for road improvements through more than 30 awards.