The Year of the Interstate

These article describes the activities that will commemorate the 50 years of the Interstate Highway System. The author first reviews the history of the Interstate System, including the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944, the role of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the role of Frank Turner, and the evolution of the Interstate System from drawing-board to reality. The author notes that one of the most important features of the Interstate System is uniformity in design and signage to eliminate surprises that could result in safety and operational problems. In addition, the close partnership between Federal and State agencies played an important role in establishing standards in design, operations, and safety. The public and private partners who created the Interstate System adapted the highways to operational and safety experience, criticism from the environmental community and safety advocates, and advances in bridge, pavement, and tunnel technologies. The author concludes that the 50th anniversary is an opportunity not only to tell a big story about the past, but also to focus public attention on the future of the Interstate.