2016 is the 60th anniversary of the interstate highway system in the United States.
Back in 1919, a young lieutenant colonel named Dwight Eisenhower traveled with a truck convoy “to road-test various Army vehicles and to see how easy or how difficult it would be to move an entire army across the North American continent.
“Averaging about 6 miles an hour, or 58 miles a day, the trucks snaked their way from Washington, [DC]… to California. Generally, it followed the ‘Lincoln Highway,’ later known as U.S. 30, arriving in San Francisco 62 days and 3,251 miles later. The convoy made a lasting impression on the young officer and stoked in him an interest in good roads.”
“On June 29, 1956, President Eisenhower signed the…bill [which] created a 41,000-mile ‘National System of Interstate… Highways’ that would… eliminate unsafe roads, inefficient routes, traffic jams, and all of the other things that got in the way of ‘speedy, safe transcontinental travel.’ At the same time, highway advocates argued, “in case of atomic attack on our key cities, the road network [would] permit quick evacuation of target areas.”
From here: “Although the Interstate System accounts for about 1.1 percent of the Nation’s total public road mileage, it carries 24 percent of all highway travel.”
One of those odd factoids I knew: “The numbering system used for interstates is intended to be the mirror opposite of the U.S. highway system, so drivers won’t be confused about whether to take Highway 70 or Interstate 70. For example, I-10 runs through southern states east-west (as all major even-numbered interstates do; odd-numbered interstates run north-south), while Highway 10 runs through northern states. Because I-50 would run through the same states as Route 50, the number will never be used.”
On vacation, we were traveled on Route 17, which is becoming I-86. But I was actually stunned to see I-99 near Painted Post, west of I-81, and well west of I-87 and I-95. It was a pork-barrel project of some Congressman, including the illogical numbering.
The large problem with the interstate highway system today is how to pay to repair roadways and bridges. The traditional source, the federal Highway Trust Fund, relies on the 18.4-cent federal gas tax, which has not grown with inflation. But there is no political will to do something about it.
I am a huge trivia fan, and so I love this post!
Very elaborate isn’t it?
I drive on the highway here afcourse… and I always am glad that I am not responsible for keeping them well
Have a nice day Rog!
Iconic Indeed!
We live 1/2 mile from I35 and I knew if I wanted a long drive I could travel all the way to the Texas coast on it. But then again why not fly!!
Ann
Quite the system! It appears as though the states are more populated in the east…am I right? I guess it’s the same as Canada since the east was the first area the explorers found. Duh! lol
Leslie
abcw team
Yes, the states are smaller in the east, but, save for California and Texas, are more populated. We have the Rockies in the west, and desert areas in the Southwest
Someday I will drive Interstate 80 from San Francisco to New York.
I-99 has always offended highway-numbering purists. Few of them, however, will see I-238, a two-mile connector between 580 and 880 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I guess my bucket list has Route 66 on it.
Interstate 5 in California is a REALLY boring straight through shot up the middle of CA. the fastest way to go though.
I really like the trivia about Eisenhower…didn’t know any of that. 6 miles an hour!!! Help!
wow, lots of info here, Roger! I do like your introduction on the ABC site- so many ‘irons’! I wish the comment form on ABC Wednesday was like this so my comments there would get published. š
This is all very interesting, Roger – sounds very complicated but when you break it down into states and localities I guess it becomes very familiar.
I have been on many of these Interstates and I do appreciate them. It is a challenge to keep them up to speed with repairs. Great post Roger!
These is highways do play a important role in our life.
That looks like a strong network. Great choice for Ć’.
Happy ABCW!
Interesting that the impact of one journey brought into being the whole country’s road system. I always like your rounded blue interstate signs.
Wow Roger !
Your mind is INCREDIBLY full of INTERESTING statistics,
The Grid system in New York fascinates me but I do like
streets with real names, we have a rather nice address
but won’t publish it for obvious reasons !
I was rather interested about President Eisenhower’s
imput into the Interstate system
.I’ve just spent 1hr reading about President Eisenhower,
what a guy he was!
You’ve certainly sparked my interest Thank you !
Best Wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Great post for a ‘Ramblin Roger’ ~ Interstate 95 indeed rambles ~
Happy Creating ~ ^_^
I’m always amazed at how young our highway/freeway system is. But, then so is the use of cars.
Very interesting post ! Highways are so practical except when you have to pay toll ! In Europe all highways are free, except in France and Italy !
Wait a minute. Route 17 is turning into Interstate 86? Will they at least get rid of those traffic lights in the western part of the state?
Actually, 86 is now a much better road than 17, which is in greater need of repair. The curve in Binghamton, where 88 and 81 split off, has been particularly treacherous for trucks to turn over.