Roadway demands have changed greatly since Route 66's commission nearly 80 years ago. Route 66 has now been completely replaced by a well-designed interstate system. Signs remain to remind travelers of its history, but today Route 66 is no longer officially considered a U.S. highway. In fact, following the completion of the nationwide interstate system in 1985, the historic roadway was decertified and no longer appeared on state maps.

Much has changed with the road-construction industry as well. The first highways relied on tremendous amounts of manpower for completion, whereas today's roadways are built much faster and better using modern machinery. And technological advances continue to improve the process.

Becco Contractors, Inc., Tulsa, Okla., can attest to this trend. Named one of the top 150 largest primary highway contractors by the Federal Highway Administration, Becco recently won a bid to resurface one of the remaining useful sections of historic Route 66. Contracted to pave a five-mile stretch of the road between Tulsa and Sapulpa, Okla., Becco put their new HYPAC C784 tandem-drum vibratory roller on the job as the breakdown unit.