Tulsa's stretch of historic Route 66 has seen three developments in the past week as the famous highway nears its 100th birthday.
Faster bus routes for Route 66 in Tulsa
Last Wednesday, MetroLink Tulsa announced it had been awarded $12.7 million in federal grant money. MetroLink says that money will help to close a reported $15 million funding gap to build the Route 66 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. The city will make up for the remainder of the gap.
"When it is up and running in two years, when the centennial starts in June of 2026, we will have 20 minute frequency," said Scott Marr, General Manager of MetroLink Tulsa. "[It will be] no different from our BRT on Peoria."
Buck Atom's partner-in-crime arrives
On Friday, a 19-foot-tall resident arrived in Tulsa. "Stella Atom" is the latest attraction along Tulsa’s historic roadway.
Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios along 11th Street installed a space cowgirl statue to complement the famous Buck Atom statue.
“She’s got her space ray-gun, her jetpack, her super cool cowboy boots," said Mary Beth Babcock, the owner of Buck Atom’s.
Stella was constructed in both Virginia and Illinois.
Babcock said she’s excited about Route 66’s future and for more people discovering Tulsa’s Americana.
“We love to be able to celebrate the history of Route 66," she said.
The Buck Atom statue was installed in 2019.
Tulsa is now Route 66's "capital"
On Monday, the City of Tulsa said its Route 66 Commission copyrighted the term "Capital of Route 66," hoping the designation will serve as a boost for tourism.
"When somebody that’s researching their trip for the centennial is going look at Tulsa, they’re gonna see ‘Capital of Route 66’ and ask ‘what does that mean?’," said Rhys Martin, President of the non-profit Oklahoma Route 66 Association.
"They’re gonna look at all the investment the city has made into Route 66," he said.
Via a press statement, Mayor G.T. Bynum said Route 66 is "an integral part of Tulsa’s identity."
Tulsa's Route 66 Centennial celebrations are slated for 2026.
