Illinois group pushes for national scenic designation of Route 66 (BND)

[Tweed]

Belleville News-Democrat:

"Route 66 is already pretty famous, but some Illinois road enthusiasts hope to earn national recognition and federal money to promote the road.

The Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project will submit the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan to the state in February, eventually hoping it will win approval at the federal level.

Patty Kuhn, coordinator with the Route 66 Heritage Project, said the plan will go to the Illinois Department of Transportation. They will review it and submit it along with other proposals to the Federal Highway Administration.

Kuhn said winners will be announced in September."

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/10615800.htm

When I first read this story I thought "Route 66 already recognized by the federal government?"

Federal funding for Route 66 means more jobs and that's better for all of Illinois. Another cool aspect is that there will be a moratorium on billboards along Route 66. I know a couple of downstate towns that have too many billboards, mainly Springfield.

Does anyone have some bad aspects that the story didn't cover? It seemed pretty biased towards getting the project approved.

Any great stories from DUers who drove on Route 66 in its glory days?