OKLAHOMA CITY – Renaming a stretch of Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma hit a bump in the highway.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Renaming a stretch of Route 66 in northeast Oklahoma hit a bump in the highway.
State Sen. Nathan Dahm’s decision to rename four miles of historical and infamous Route 66 in Ottawa County after President Donald Trump caused a collision with other legislatures, in particular, State Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami.
Loring’s district is the heart of Route 66.
Loring maintains renaming the highway is not a political issue – but an economic issue.
“Changing the name could have a significant negative impact on tourism in this area,” Loring said in a prepared statement.
“The combination of Ottawa and Delaware counties are number three in the State behind Oklahoma and Tulsa counties as far as tourism dollars being spent here.” Loring said.
Route 66 is a huge part of that tourism pie, he said. All of the mayors whose communities would be affected and the County Commissioners are opposed to the decision, Loring said.
“I do not understand why Sen. Nathan Dahm and Sen. Marty Quinn have filed legislation that would jeopardize tourism in this part of the state and dishonor one of Oklahoma’s favorite sons,” Loring said in a prepared statement.
The highway, from Chicago to Santa Monica, is already designated the “Will Rogers Highway,” which is great for all Oklahomans, he said.
“Please pick another road, and I would suggest one in your own districts,” Loring said.