Major Bypass Information along Oklahoma Route 66
Information courtesy of Jerry Mcclanahan - check out the most up-to-date information at McJerry66.com!
Lincoln County - Wellston I-44 Underpass
LOCATION: Between Chandler and Wellston at the I-44 underpass
After 71 years of carrying Turner Turnpike traffic over Route 66 on the east side of Wellston, OK, this battered and rusty old overpass (and the stretch of 66 that passed under it) is now CLOSED as of September 3rd, 2024. This closure will last about a year while they build a temporary road to carry all 4 lanes of heavy I-44 traffic off this antique structure, then tear it down, build NEW spans, revise the off/onramps, etc.
But the good news for Route 66 travelers is that the brand new paved LOCAL detour is open and is an easy to drive 3 miles (plus 2 more miles to head back east on 66 so you can visit Butcher BBQ and follow 66B (original 66) thru Wellston.
The city of Wellston encourages you to take the local detour. There is even a sign posted for westbound traffic at the closure that tells you to use the local detour to get to Butcher BBQ and On Cue in Wellston.
Ignore the OK 66 DETOUR signs at US 177 or HWY 102 and continue on 66 to the marked local detour. It will take you about 7-9 minutes or so (depending on if you catch the stoplight controlling traffic over a narrow bridge). Don't speed!
This shorter detour is NOT FOR BIG HEAVY TRUCKS AND RVs. There is a weight/size limit on this new access road. If you are in something big, use the 30 mile detour via US 177/US 62 and OK HWY 102.
Caddo County - Tower Bridge
LOCATION: West of the Pony Bridge near Hinton and Bridgeport
The reconstruction of the Bridgeport Pony Bridge is completed, but work on a second bridge just west of it has once again closed a section of Route 66 between Hydro and El Reno. The Pony Bridge is still open for viewing and crossing, but you’ll need to backtrack a bit from either direction. We anticipate this only taking a few months rather than a year; we’ll update as we know more.
WESTBOUND: You’ll need to hop on to I-44 at Exit 108 (next to the Cherokee Trading Post), then rejoin Historic Route 66 near Hinton at Exit 101.
EASTBOUND: Hop on to I-44 at Exit 101 (near Hinton), then rejoin Historic Route 66 at I-44 Exit 108 at the Cherokee Trading Post.
