Historic Bridges on Route 66

Historic Bridges on Route 66 | Preserved Spans & Engineering Landmarks on the Mother Road
Among the most overlooked treasures on Route 66 are its historic bridges — the steel and concrete spans that carried travelers across rivers, ravines, and floodplains for generations. Many of these structures predate the highway itself, while others were purpose-built for Route 66 and reflect the engineering aesthetics of the 1920s through the 1950s. Some have been preserved as pedestrian attractions, while others still carry traffic on surviving segments of the old alignment. Notable examples include the Brush Creek Rainbow Bridge in Riverton, Kansas — a beautiful pony truss span — and the legendary Chain of Rocks Bridge in Missouri, where travelers once crossed the Mississippi River. This section explores the bridges of Route 66 as architectural and historical landmarks in their own right, offering a unique lens through which to experience the full story of the Mother Road.