Thread by @IkeLibrary

65 years ago today, President Eisenhower signed the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, creating a system of continuous highways that crossed the U.S. #Interstate

Eisenhower, had travelled across the U.S. as part of the @USArmy's 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy. During this trip, Eisenhower witnessed the dismal conditions of roads and their lack of connectivity. The trip from Washington D.C. to San Francisco took 62 days.

While directing the Allied armies as they fought across Europe in #WWII the logistical needs of supplying millions of troops using a network of overworked roads left a lasting impression on Eisenhower.

The lessons learned were not forgotten. In a Feb, 1955 address to Congress, Ike stated that the unsafe conditions of roads cost lives, increased costs of goods, were inadequate for defense, and would soon be gridlocked by more cars. eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/onlin…

The Act required an increase in taxes to help cover its $25 billion expense ($243 billion in today's economy) Tax increases on gas, diesel, and tires were selected to help defer the cost. While many recognized the need for improved roads, they hesitated at the taxes.

Members of Congress had reservations about the Interstate system as well.

Despite the opposition the Interstate system became a reality. This map shows some of the proposed 41,000 miles of highways.

By 1960, 7,500 miles of Interstate and improved highways were in use, another 4,700 under construction, and 18,300 planned at a cost of $7 billion.

Despite the initial accomplishments, Eisenhower was dissatisfied with how the Interstate program had been built. During a meeting, he noted that the program had proceeded against his intentions when planners began building highways through congested urban areas.

On October 15, 1990, President George H.W. Bush @Bush41Library signed an act renaming the Interstate system to Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Two years later, the Interstate system was declared complete though more roads are added as needed.

Today, there are over 48,000 miles of Interstate according to @ARTBA. They estimate the system handles about 25% of the nations road traffic. That 3,000 miles that took the 1919 convoy 62 days to complete, can now be driven in 42 hours*

*Not counting rest, food, and fuel stops.