Landmarks Association of St. Louis

Closed Route 66 Bridge In Eureka May Be Razed

(January 27, 2010) Because of our comitment to the preservation and adaptive reuse of National Register buildings and structures in the St. Louis area, Landmarks Association has met with a broad coalition of stakeholders in an effort to develop a strategy for safeguarding the bridge's future.  This coalition includes the Route 66 Association, Missouri Preservation, St. Louis County Parks, the East-West Gateway Council, Scenic Missouri, Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri Open Space Council, and the Missouri Parks Association.  While we acknoweldged the deteriorated nature of the structure, we reject the notion that summary demolition is the only viable course of action.  Aside from the bridge's historic significance, it provides a valuable linkage for trail networks and greenspace in the region. Finally, the bridge plays an important role in both the statewide and national viability of Route 66 as an important tourism attraction.  Landmarks will continue to follow this issue closely and work together with other stakeholders to encourage a creative solution to the problem of the bridge. Read the Post Dispatch Article HERE.