Roamndav

Hi all...I see there is some confusion, but it's understandable! Yes, Gray's Well Road on the south side of the road *IS* old 80...at least the segment west of the point where it swings away to the SW away from I-8. That was the 1932 improvement. But the part I am talking about is the original asphalt highway that was laid down in 1925-26 that became original 80 in 11/26. Remnants of this asphalt can be glimpsed in the median of the interstate just immediately west of the rest stop...it gradually crosses to the north side where bits and pieces can be occasionally glimpsed. Just as I-8 starts up the big hill west of the rest stop, a good 100 yard section or so of this original asphalt is still viz to the north of I-8 (also viz in satellite views). This is the segment right smack dab in the middle of this new construction. I actually have found a Dept of the Interior document that describes the improvements being made, so I'm trying to contact some of the folks listed. As Denny indicated, trying get get a bureaucracy to change the plans will be virtually impossible, the only really viable option will be to try to make them aware of what they have and maybe get it incorporated into the design. I'm actually looking forward to some of the improvements. Maybe eventually a regular vehicle will be able to get access to that area and see this asphalt up close & personal! Of course, that would only be exciting to a roadie nut such as myself...

Hi all, the Dept of the Interior is adding new OHV recreational facilities on the NORTH side of I-8 west of the exisiting rest stop at Gray's Well. This activity is threatening the remants of original 80, portions of which can be glimpsed as a ribbon of asphalt running through the dunes on the north side of I-8 west of the rest stop. Anyone have any clue as to whether or not the Dept of the Interior has any plans for old 80 or is even aware of its importance???

at a half mile long, I think the old bridge is a real *must see* for any auto enthusiast. It is by MM 22-23 (22 miles north of Gila Bend), so it is an hour detour for those in the Gila bend area, but I think it is still worth the trip! The Gila River there is bounded on one side by a lava flow, so there are some really neat geographical aspects there too. As of the Winter of 2008-9, the bridge is still open, but it is in DIRE need of upkeep, so I'm not sure that it will be open much longer. Budget cuts and rumblings from AZDOT indicate that it may go the way of the Chain of Rocks bridge and become part of a bike trail and off limts to vehicular traffic soon.

Hi Jason, though not apparently maintained, this old site has several... http://academic.marion.ohio-state.edu/schu...al/natlist.html also, I purchased on E-bay a 1920's national auto trail map that has several auto trail logos on it. Try there as well.

Thanks Denny! I'll be sending American Road the two copies for review. And in the meantime, if you or any of your acquaintances have any leads on publishers that specialize in small niche runs like this, I sure would appreciate any direction you might give. The book would be 223 pages, full-color and I want it coil bound so the map pages saty open. This has been quite the journey! Jeff in Tucson

HI all: Jeff Jensen from Tucson here. I've dropped off the boards for a couple of years because I was working on this: The Broadway of America: the Bankhead and U.S. 80 Highways across the American Southwest The drive guide is here! Folks, I've done the research, I've done the roadwork, I've taken the pictures and I've drawn the maps. All you have to do now is come along for the ride! I've uploaded a sample to the web. I invite you to visit and take a peek at my website here: http://bygonebyways.com/the_boa_thru_the_sw.htm or at my main bygonebyways.com website. I really believe that this will become a MUST have for any serious roadie and I'm really excited to be able to share this with you. As the owner of literally dozens of guides, I've taken what I feel are the best ideas and combined them into one guide for old Highway 80. Some of these ideas include: >easily accessible 'tours' which are not defined by a set number of miles etc or county lines, but logical entry and exit points onto other major roads. > color coded 'factoid' boxes that accompany the text but don't intrude into the text. You won't get bogged down in too many details...unless you want to. >description of roadside attractions and nearby sightseeing tours. >literally hundreds of my own color photos, antique postcards, vintage advertisements, etc. You'll feel like you've been there! >written in an east to west manner, there is also a west to east segment. >and most importantly, in the back, a 'just the facts, ma'am' map section. No distracting narrative, just extremely detailed maps which utilize a consistent color-coded system that allows one to see at a glance the evolution of the old auto trails and Highway 80 through any given area. >within each map, numbers identify specific points or items of interest such as bypassed alignments, abandoned bridges, roadside attractions, etc. You won't miss a thing! I look forward from hearing from all of you and receiving feedback on my efforts. Cheers, Jeff in Tucson

HI all: Jeff Jensen from Tucson here. I've dropped off the boards for a couple of years because I was working on this: The Broadway of America: the Bankhead and U.S. 80 Highways across the American Southwest The drive guide is here! Folks, I've done the research, I've done the roadwork, I've taken the pictures and I've drawn the maps. All you have to do now is come along for the ride! I've uploaded a sample to the web. I invite you to visit and take a peek at my website here: http://bygonebyways.com/the_boa_thru_the_sw.htm or at my main bygonebyways.comwebsite. I really believe that this will become a MUST have for any serious roadie and I'm really excited to be able to share this with you. As the owner of literally dozens of guides, I've taken what I feel are the best ideas and combined them into one guide for old Highway 80. Some of these ideas include: >easily accessible 'tours' which are not defined by a set number of miles etc or county lines, but logical entry and exit points onto other major roads. > color coded 'factoid' boxes that accompany the text but don't intrude into the text. You won't get bogged down in too many details...unless you want to. >description of roadside attractions and nearby sightseeing tours. >literally hundreds of my own color photos, antique postcards, vintage advertisements, etc. You'll feel like you've been there! >written in an east to west manner, there is also a west to east segment. >and most importantly, in the back, a 'just the facts, ma'am' map section. No distracting narrative, just extremely detailed maps which utilize a consistent color-coded system that allows one to see at a glance the evolution of the old auto trails and Highway 80 through any given area. >within each map, numbers identify specific points or items of interest such as bypassed alignments, abandoned bridges, roadside attractions, etc. You won't miss a thing! I look forward from hearing from all of you and receiving feedback on my efforts. Cheers, Jeff in Tucson

I have not had the time nor opportunity to travel the OST/old US 90 corridor. Please post some pics of your journey! Cheers, Jeff

Hi City Boy...thanks for sharing your pics with us. You may not have realizd it at the time, but when you were in Dallas going under the RR overpass heading into the downtown area, you were on Commerce St. which was once the City/Business U.S. 80 route through town and as you headed south out of the downtown area over the Houston St. viaduct, you were on the old Bankhead Highway/Broadway of America/Dixie Oveland and original U.S. 80 routings through the area. I'm envious of your trips through southern Texas...most of which I have never seen. Perhaps at your leisure, you could drop me a line at my bygonebyways.com website with some of your shots of those old gas stations/diners etc from your trip and I could then post them to the web (with your permission of course). Cheers, jeff in Tucson