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[JayhawkCO]

I know there have been many posts about this over the years, but I'm curious why it exists in the first place and was curious if others had any info. From the looks of it, it was created in 1990 per this document. Everything you read says that the town died in 1975 when I-40 bypassed US66, and that by the 80's, there were only 5 people and all the businesses (all three) seemed to have closed. So why designate this highway when literally there wasn't a single business at the time of designation? I traveled it a long time ago and didn't have any idea of the history of it at the time.

[thisdj78]

I know there have been many posts about this over the years, but I'm curious why it exists in the first place and was curious if others had any info. From the looks of it, it was created in 1990 per this document. Everything you read says that the town died in 1975 when I-40 bypassed US66, and that by the 80's, there were only 5 people and all the businesses (all three) seemed to have closed. So why designate this highway when literally there wasn't a single business at the time of designation? I traveled it a long time ago and didn't have any idea of the history of it at the time.

I just looked at the map, where does BR I-40 end at? I see the label on old 66 until the NM border but nothing past that.

[JayhawkCO]

I know there have been many posts about this over the years, but I'm curious why it exists in the first place and was curious if others had any info. From the looks of it, it was created in 1990 per this document. Everything you read says that the town died in 1975 when I-40 bypassed US66, and that by the 80's, there were only 5 people and all the businesses (all three) seemed to have closed. So why designate this highway when literally there wasn't a single business at the time of designation? I traveled it a long time ago and didn't have any idea of the history of it at the time.

I just looked at the map, where does BR I-40 end at? I see the label on old 66 until the NM border but nothing past that.

State line.

[thisdj78]

I know there have been many posts about this over the years, but I'm curious why it exists in the first place and was curious if others had any info. From the looks of it, it was created in 1990 per this document. Everything you read says that the town died in 1975 when I-40 bypassed US66, and that by the 80's, there were only 5 people and all the businesses (all three) seemed to have closed. So why designate this highway when literally there wasn't a single business at the time of designation? I traveled it a long time ago and didn't have any idea of the history of it at the time.

I just looked at the map, where does BR I-40 end at? I see the label on old 66 until the NM border but nothing past that.

State line.

I wonder if it used to extend to San Jon in NM?

[Max Rockatansky]

I’m assuming the application is in the AASHTO database?  Most of the 66 Business Routes have shown up in the database, usually the application has the stated purpose and Route extent.

[kphoger]

Of note may be the designation file for the route's previous iteration, from before its mileage was transferred to I-40-BL:

Highway Designation File

STATE HIGHWAY SPUR NO. 504

Minute Order 066067, dated 04/03/1972; Adm. Cir. 036-1972, dated 04/15/1972

Glenrio Spur - From Texas/New Mexico State Line at Glenrio, eastward 0.45 mile over old location US 66 and northward over new connection to IH 40, a total distance of approximately 0.61 mile.  (Deaf Smith County) New Designation.

Had US-66 already been relocated off of this road by 1972?  I don't see anything in the AASHTO database for US-66 in Texas from before 1975, and that was for a relocation onto I-40 at the Oklahoma line.

[JayhawkCO]

Of note may be the designation file for the route's previous iteration, from before its mileage was transferred to I-40-BL:

Highway Designation File

STATE HIGHWAY SPUR NO. 504

Minute Order 066067, dated 04/03/1972; Adm. Cir. 036-1972, dated 04/15/1972

Glenrio Spur - From Texas/New Mexico State Line at Glenrio, eastward 0.45 mile over old location US 66 and northward over new connection to IH 40, a total distance of approximately 0.61 mile.  (Deaf Smith County) New Designation.

Had US-66 already been relocated off of this road by 1972?  I don't see anything in the AASHTO database for US-66 in Texas from before 1975, and that was for a relocation onto I-40 at the Oklahoma line.

Good find. According to this, I-40 was designated in 1975, but I don't see anything specifically about US66 being removed.

[US 89]

Had US-66 already been relocated off of this road by 1972?  I don't see anything in the AASHTO database for US-66 in Texas from before 1975, and that was for a relocation onto I-40 at the Oklahoma line.

The USGS topo dated 1971 shows US 66 still going through Glenrio with no bypass. Per that map, I-40 had not yet been built around there in New Mexico, and began in Texas immediately east of Glenrio.



So it makes sense that Spur 504 was created for TxDOT to keep track of its old mileage as 66 was being transferred over to I-40. It is curious why it was renumbered to a business loop, though...

[Alps]

I know there have been many posts about this over the years, but I'm curious why it exists in the first place and was curious if others had any info. From the looks of it, it was created in 1990 per this document. Everything you read says that the town died in 1975 when I-40 bypassed US66, and that by the 80's, there were only 5 people and all the businesses (all three) seemed to have closed. So why designate this highway when literally there wasn't a single business at the time of designation? I traveled it a long time ago and didn't have any idea of the history of it at the time.

I just looked at the map, where does BR I-40 end at? I see the label on old 66 until the NM border but nothing past that.

State line.

I wonder if it used to extend to San Jon in NM?

Not to my knowledge.

[Avalanchez71]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

[JayhawkCO]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

I mean, why don't we throw a random business route on any of the myriad business routes in rural Texas that at least have one business instead.

[Scott5114]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

[US 89]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

I always think of the "Welcome Interstate Travelers!" banner that the citizens of Radiator Springs put up in Cars. The interstates were fun until they started serving their purpose and bypassing towns along the way.

[JayhawkCO]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

I always think of the "Welcome Interstate Travelers!" banner that the citizens of Radiator Springs put up in Cars. The interstates were fun until they started serving their purpose and bypassing towns along the way.

And I'm sure you know this, but the motel in Cars was modeled after the abandoned one in Glenrio.

[rte66man]

Had US-66 already been relocated off of this road by 1972?  I don't see anything in the AASHTO database for US-66 in Texas from before 1975, and that was for a relocation onto I-40 at the Oklahoma line.

The USGS topo dated 1971 shows US 66 still going through Glenrio with no bypass. Per that map, I-40 had not yet been built around there in New Mexico, and began in Texas immediately east of Glenrio.



So it makes sense that Spur 504 was created for TxDOT to keep track of its old mileage as 66 was being transferred over to I-40. It is curious why it was renumbered to a business loop, though...

I am guessing but I believe TxDOT had a policy that any town that was bypassed by I-40 got a BL40 as a consolation. I can't think of a town that was bypassed that didn't get one at that time (mid 70's). IMO, that is an enticement for certain drivers to exit there looking for services and food.

[kphoger]

I am guessing but I believe TxDOT had a policy that any town that was bypassed by I-40 got a BL40 as a consolation.

That's the most likely scenario I've heard suggested so far.

[Rothman]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

I always think of the "Welcome Interstate Travelers!" banner that the citizens of Radiator Springs put up in Cars. The interstates were fun until they started serving their purpose and bypassing towns along the way.

And I'm sure you know this, but the motel in Cars was modeled after the abandoned one in Glenrio.

Or was it Seligman?

[Max Rockatansky]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

I always think of the "Welcome Interstate Travelers!" banner that the citizens of Radiator Springs put up in Cars. The interstates were fun until they started serving their purpose and bypassing towns along the way.

And I'm sure you know this, but the motel in Cars was modeled after the abandoned one in Glenrio.

Or was it Seligman?

Cars has a crap ton of homages to a lot of 66 locales.  The backdrops of Amboy, Oatman and Hackberry are all more also incorporated into the design of Radiator Springs.

Tell me this doesn’t look like a certain truck based character in the Cars movies:

https://flic.kr/p/QQ3gyo

[US 89]

Had US-66 already been relocated off of this road by 1972?  I don't see anything in the AASHTO database for US-66 in Texas from before 1975, and that was for a relocation onto I-40 at the Oklahoma line.

The USGS topo dated 1971 shows US 66 still going through Glenrio with no bypass. Per that map, I-40 had not yet been built around there in New Mexico, and began in Texas immediately east of Glenrio.



So it makes sense that Spur 504 was created for TxDOT to keep track of its old mileage as 66 was being transferred over to I-40. It is curious why it was renumbered to a business loop, though...

I am guessing but I believe TxDOT had a policy that any town that was bypassed by I-40 got a BL40 as a consolation. I can't think of a town that was bypassed that didn't get one at that time (mid 70's). IMO, that is an enticement for certain drivers to exit there looking for services and food.

Except Glenrio didn’t get one at the time. The interstate bypass was completed in 1975, but it appears the old road was known as Spur 504 until 1990 when it was renumbered to the current BL-40.

[kphoger]

I still can't find anything in the AASHTO archive about either the establishment or elimination of US-40-BL in Glenrio.  Or the relocation of US-66 onto I-40 in the area either.

[Max Rockatansky]

I still can't find anything in the AASHTO archive about either the establishment or elimination of US-40-BL in Glenrio.  Or the relocation of US-66 onto I-40 in the area either.

The relocation makes sense, usually AASHTO wouldn’t care about such a minor realignment.  I wonder if this just a rogue business route though?  A business route is supposed to be approved by AASHTO for US Routes and Interstates.

[JayhawkCO]

Could they possibly been trying to entice interest in the area?  A business route to place a business on?  Maybe they thought there would be more excitement with US 66 tourism?

US 66 tourism wasn't as much of a thing when actual US 66 was still a thing. If anything, the brand new shiny Interstate was more interesting.

I always think of the "Welcome Interstate Travelers!" banner that the citizens of Radiator Springs put up in Cars. The interstates were fun until they started serving their purpose and bypassing towns along the way.

And I'm sure you know this, but the motel in Cars was modeled after the abandoned one in Glenrio.

Or was it Seligman?

The closed Glenrio Motel from Cars:


The Little Juarez Café in Glenrio, TX:

[Urban Prairie Schooner]

Didn't Texas at some point change all of its State Loops that were bypassed through-town portions of old US routes into Interstate Business Loops? I believe virtually all the IH loops in TX were originally designated as SLs after the original US route moved to the freeway routing.

[bwana39]

Didn't Texas at some point change all of its State Loops that were bypassed through-town portions of old US routes into Interstate Business Loops? I believe virtually all the IH loops in TX were originally designated as SLs after the original US route moved to the freeway routing.

Yes, but the only ones that seem to have retained it were the ones on US66 /I-40

[usends]

Didn't Texas at some point change all of its State Loops that were bypassed through-town portions of old US routes into Interstate Business Loops? I believe virtually all the IH loops in TX were originally designated as SLs after the original US route moved to the freeway routing.

I believe this is the correct answer.  It's a TXDOT thing, not an AASHTO thing.  Initially, whenever an original route was bypassed, TXDOT gave the old route a State Loop or State Spur designation.  But then in the '80s and '90s they changed their philosophy on most of these old routes, taking away the State Loop or State Spur designations and replacing them with Business Loop designations.  In some cases, it really didn't make sense.  I would say Glenrio is one such example.  Another example is the twin US 67 business loops in San Angelo, neither of which pass through the central business district (more detail at the bottom of this page).