America's Future Highway Needs

Six years ago, in 1965, with the Interstate System program then in its 10th year, Congress made a wise and far-reaching decision.It directed that, beginning in January, 1968, a report be made to Congress every two years of estimates of this Nation's future highway needs.It was a wise decision for many reasons.For one, Congress recognized that the construction of the Federalaid highway systems --and in particular the Interstate System -represented a gigantic Federal-State effort one which would be extremely costly and difficult to reestablish if it were allowed to become moribund upon completion of the Interstate System.-more--2-Congress pointed out, too, that the United States' continued population growth --with most of it concentrated in urban areas -accentuated the need for a thorough review of the highway program in the light of overall transportation problems and various possible solutions .And it specifically suggested the classification revision of Federal-aid Primary and Secondary Systems and their urban extensions.Of course, such biennial reports to Congress would be justified because of the basic element of change, alone.For it is an indisputable fact that things do constantly change.Our mores change, our technology changes, our emphasis changes.A few years ago ecology and the environment were words which were heard only infrequently; today they have great meaning in our way of life.We have found improved methods of building safer and more efficient roads.In short, we are doing things differently now and better --than we did, say 20 years ago.And there is no doubt in my mind that 20 years hence we will be doing things differently --and better --than we are doing them now.That is as it should be, for we must always seek improvement --in all areas of our national life.And as our techniques and methods change, so, too, do our needs and goals --and this, of course,necessitates changes in emphasis in the highway program to fit the particular needs of the day.The highway