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Historic Route 66 could be the solar-powered road of the future

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced plans to bring solar-powered, LED-lit road panels to part of Route 66 in a bid to upgrade the retro roadway.

Claire Reilly Former Principal Video Producer
Claire Reilly was a video host, journalist and producer covering all things space, futurism, science and culture. Whether she's covering breaking news, explaining complex science topics or exploring the weirder sides of tech culture, Claire gets to the heart of why technology matters to everyone. She's been a regular commentator on broadcast news, and in her spare time, she's a cabaret enthusiast, Simpsons aficionado and closet country music lover. She originally hails from Sydney but now calls San Francisco home.
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  • Webby Award Winner (Best Video Host, 2021), Webby Nominee (Podcasts, 2021), Gold Telly (Documentary Series, 2021), Silver Telly (Video Writing, 2021), W3 Award (Best Host, 2020), Australian IT Journalism Awards (Best Journalist, Best News Journalist 2017)
Claire Reilly
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Solar-powered roads could soon be lighting our way across America.

Sam Cornett/Solar Roadways

Route 66 could be set for a seriously high-tech upgrade, turning the "Main Street of America" into a solar-powered, glowing superhighway.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has announced plans to upgrade a small stretch of the historic roadway, which originally ran from Chicago through America's Midwest to California.

The project is in partnership with Solar Roadways, who creates specially-engineered, solar-powered panels which can support the weight of cars. The panels feature built-in LEDs to create light-up road markings and can be used to generate electricity to donate back to the grid.

While Solar Roadways has won a number of contracts with the US Department of Transport, don't expect glowing arteries criss-crossing the country just yet. MoDOT said it hopes to lay the first panels starting with the Historic Route 66 Welcome Center by the end of the year, The Kansas City Star reports.

But the plans could open the way for plenty more solar roads into the future, letting you get your kicks in futuristic style.