New Mexico Gears Up for Centennial of Historic Route 66 with $4 Million Investment
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New Mexico communities are preparing for a year-long celebration in 2026 marking the 100-year anniversary of Route 66, with a $4 million investment from the state Tourism Department fueling restoration projects and festivities along the iconic “Mother Road.” The 487-mile corridor, stretching across the state from east to west, is undergoing a revitalization, as towns large and small work to honor the highway’s profound cultural and economic impact.
A legacy of Connection and Culture
The preparations extend beyond mere cosmetic improvements. Communities are actively restoring historic gas stations, commissioning vibrant murals, and developing interactive exhibits to tell the story of Route 66. Tourism Secretary Nani Chavez highlighted the road’s significance, stating that Route 66, much like the Camino Real and Santa Fe Trail, served as a crucial “crossroads” of peopel and culture. “These trails and roads are very crucial in not just promoting New Mexico, but establishing our culture and changing it, bringing new peoples and new technologies and new ideas on the asphalt,” he explained.
Building the “Mother Road” in New Mexico
Construction of Route 66 began in 1926,spurred by congressional legislation aimed at creating a national public highway system and connecting growing cities with rural communities via the burgeoning automobile. The New Mexico portion of the route presented unique challenges due to the state’s varied topography, the Tourism Department noted.
Initially, Route 66 entered New Mexico from Texas, heading north toward Santa Fe through Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, before curving south through Los Lunas and onward to Arizona near Gallup. Depression-era public works programs facilitated the straightening and paving of the route, eliminating the Los Lunas section and creating what would become the first paved road in history. From that point forward, Martinez asserted, Route 66 became “the most famous American road in history.”
Route 66 in Art and Popular Culture
New Mexico’s stretch of Route 66 has long captured the creativity of artists and storytellers. Martinez recalled an episode of “I Love Lucy” featuring a memorable road trip through Albuquerque. nat king Cole’s classic 1946 song “Get Your Kicks” includes a lyrical nod to “Gallup, New mexico,” and the 1940 film adaptation of john Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Henry Fonda, prominently features the state’s landscapes.
While Tulsa, Oklahoma, is often considered the “capital of Route 66,” Martinez playfully suggested that Gallup or Albuquerque deserve the title. “Though,I’m biased,” he admitted.
Innovative Projects and Local Flavor
Beyond the larger-scale restorations, the Tourism Department has funded a variety of localized projects. These include beautification efforts along highway overpasses in Guadalupe County, improvements to the gateway in Albuquerque’s Old Town, and upgrades to the State Fair Tower and RV village at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds.
Perhaps the most innovative project is underway in Santa Rosa, which received $60,000 to create a “musical road” along a half-mile stretch of Route 66. Local company San Bar Construction is installing custom rumble strips designed to play “Get Your Kicks” as drivers pass over them at the correct speed. However, a member of the town’s Route 66 committee noted that securing the rights to the song and repaving the road to eliminate potholes are crucial to the project’s success. “Otherwise, nobody can tell what the song is,” she said with a laugh.
Despite the remaining logistical hurdles, Santa Rosa is already planning a year-long series of festivities, including appearances by a local resident and his 1926 vintage car, who has become a beloved “mascot” for the town.
The committee member emphasized that Santa Rosa’s approach is representative of the broader effort across New Mexico. “it depends on each individual community, on how they capture that essence, that contribution that the Mother road has made for our communities, especially in rural New Mexico,” she said. “We’re working hard in our communities to celebrate the birthday.”
