CONTINUING HIGHWAY PROGRAM

The modernization of the United States highway system began in 1956 with the Federal-Aid Highway Act that set the stage for the greatest roadbuilding and highway improvement program in the country's history. This 42,500-mile Interstate System nears completion, and the country now continues to face new and growing highway demands that again challenge the adequacy of existing roads. The article connects growth and prosperity of the nation hinging in large part on an adequate and efficient transportation system, and recognizes that both by choice and design the country is dependent on vehicles that use highways until technology replaces the highway vehicle as the mode of choice for moving both people and goods. A major objective toward the goal of providing adequate and efficient transportation has been accomplished with the completion of the Interstate Highway System. The article presents a challenge that requires coordinated planning and action to accomplish the job of improving the capacity and safety that exist and, in many cases, extend the mileage.