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<p>[quote user="henry6"]</p> <p>[quote user="Sam1"]</p> <p>The beginnings of the Interstate Highway System go back to the 1920s, when the notion of lighted, divided highways were developed. President Roosevelt was keenly interested in an interstate highway system and even laid out his vision for six highways that would cross the country from east to west. Apparently he saw the system as one supported by tolls.</p> <p>[/quote]</p> <p>The beginnings of our highway system go all the way back to Colonial times. First with private turnpikes which were abandoned and taken over by governments or just lie uncared for. Second, with the Federal Post roads desingnated and maintained to carry the U.S. Mail. Then there were roads like the National Road blazed through wilderness so that people could trave west and goods so retruned. A lot of the roads were infact, elnargment of paths both animals and Native Americans had used for hundreds or more years. Some were created out of military need: look at US Route 202 as it draws a semicircle around what we now call the Eastcoast Corridor, planned by Washington as a route to move armies and equipment around instead of through NY City, one of many such federal highway projections still in place today. In the early 1900's there were attempts by states especially, to design and designate routes for the emerging automobile. As truck were added by the 20's a need for interstate roads which were paved, came to the attention of the powers that be. FDR's need to create jobs spurred on the building of these concrete paths. There were some early forms of turnpikes built and operated by state governments at this time but really bloomed post WWII into the 50s. Oil and highway interests played on Eisenhower's military experience to build the interstate highway system. Our road and highway system has been an evolution and progession from before the arrival of Europeans in the 16h and 17th Centuries to today and not a system of less than 100 years development and use..[/quote]</p> <p>No one is arguing that government(s) should not play a role in facilitating the development of transport systems. The key question is whether they should subsidize them or whether the users should pay for them. The other key questions revolve around the government's form of support, i.e. low cost loans, etc.</p> <p>According to Earl Swift, who authored <em>The Big Roads, </em>the plans for the interstate highway system were laid down long before Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act. The notion that Eisenhower's experience as a young military man resulted in the interstate highway system is a myth, although it may have influenced his decision to sign the bill.</p>
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