Interstate Highway System
Persons traveling through the United States today may find it difficult to imagine our country without the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System. It was not until June 29, 1956, when President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, that interstate highways began to meet the challenge of the growing number of automobiles on the nation’s highways. While in Europe during World War II General Eisenhower viewed the ease of travel on the German autobahns. That, coupled with the experiences of a young Lt. Col. Eisenhower in the 1919 Transcontinental Convoy, convinced the President of the overwhelming need for safer and speedier highways. The President also felt that the newer, multi-lane highways were essential to a strong national defense.
President Eisenhower signs H.R. 8127, an act "to amend and supplement the Federal-Aid Road Act approved July 11, 1916 . . . to authorize appropriations for continuing the construction of highways . . ." The signing was witnessed by, L-R: Sen. Styles Bridges; Rep. George Dondero; Rep. Clifford Davis; Sen. Francis Case; Rep. Homer Angell; Sen. Edward Martin; unidentified; Rep. J. Harry McGregor; unidentified; Sen. William Knowland; Sen. Prescott Bush; unidentified. May 6, 1954
Message to the Congress regarding highways, February 22, 1955
Letter from Roger Jones to President Eisenhower concerning the Federal-Aid highway construction program, June 28, 1956
Letter from Sinclair Weeks to President Eisenhower regarding improvement of the Interstate Highway System, August 9, 1956
Letter from Robert Merriam to President Eisenhower regarding the highway act, April 10, 1958
Statement regarding the 1958 Federal Aid Highway Act, April 16, 1958
Memorandum, Phillip Hughes to President Eisenhower regarding the highway act, September 17, 1959
Statement regarding the 1959 highway act, September 21, 1959
Meeting of April 6, 1960 regarding the interstate highway program, April 8, 1960
President Eisenhower participates in the ribbon cutting ceremonies opening the new extension to the George Washington Memorial Parkway, November 3, 1959
For a listing of collections at the Eisenhower Presidential Library with materials pertaining to this topic, please see: Interstate Highway System Subject Guide.
