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If any excavators in the state of Oklahoma are not currently in use in Sapulpa, expect that to change come July.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, the full panel of councilors unanimously voted to award the bid for a new Route 66 Park to Magnum Construction, the lowest responsible bidder of $2,099,655.00.
The new park will include numerous points of interest for the Route 66 traveler and enthusiast, including photo ops, a playground, and of course, the historic Rock Creek Bridge.
This park is made possible by the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, which awarded a $2 million grant to Sapulpa for the creation of a new Route 66-themed park at the historic Bridge 18 over Rock Creek at Ozark Trail Road. Sapulpa was the largest of the 11 recipients chosen in the first round of grants.
Construction is set to begin on July 7th and be complete before the start of the Route 66 Centennial in 2026. It would become the third major construction project happening city limits at the same time, along with the downtown Dewey streetscape redesign and the construction of the new multi-million-dollar high school.
The City of Sapulpa said in their application they were looking to revitalize the area and capitalize on its historical significance for the upcoming Route 66 Centennial. “As our city has grown, transportation infrastructure has improved and the public safety needs of our community have increased, these historic places have been bypassed and access limited,” the City said. “Our project is designed to both preserve these historic assets and develop the area so that the public and travelers from around the world may continue to enjoy these iconic landmarks that Route 66 enthusiasts seek.”
The park would become the latest in a number of iconic stops on the west side of Sapulpa as Route 66 merges into downtown. Other popular attractions include The TeePee Drive-In, The Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum with its “World’s Tallest Gas Pump,” and the Indian Blanket Mural.
What to know about Rock Creek Bridge and Ozark Trail Road
- Both Ozark Trail and Rock Creek Bridge are on the National Register of Historic Places, however that portion of Ozark Trail Road has since fallen into disrepair, and the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 2018.
- Rock Creek Bridge has been listed as one of Oklahoma’s “Most Endangered Places” by Preservation Oklahoma.
- Ozark Trail is not only part of the original Route 66, but predates the Mother Road by about ten years.
