Photos

This is an evening shot of Albuquerque from the Sandia Mountains on the east side of town. The long line of street and car lights is Interstate 40 (I-40) as it diagonally chops Albuquerque in half (north and south). I-40 runs along a large part of the historic route 66; the "Gateway to the West" used to be the main route between the east (Chicago, IL) and the west (Los Angeles, CA). In fact, much of the western portion of I-40, from Oklahoma City to Barstow, follows historic Route 66.

Former U.S. Highway 66 was also known as "The Mother Road", "The Main Street of America" and "The Will Rogers Highway".

The road is important because for a long time it was the life-blood of Albuquerque.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, I-40 was originally meant to replace Central Avenue through the center of the city. However, due to development and public opposition, a path going northward was chosen. The freeway intersects Central at either end of the city.