ipl-logo

The Federal Highway Act Of 1956: A Policy Analysis

616 Words3 Pages

Our nation’s highways are a critical circulatory system to our nation’s transit structure. Motorists on today’s highways are capable of reaching far locations without the hassle of navigating short routes through developed areas. High volumes of traffic, low speed restrictions as well as impractical routes of traveling off the national highway grid further emphasize its necessity to our country. The future of our nation’s growth depended on an efficient means of modern transportation, and the automotive industry was shaping up to be that answer. The benefits to the country proved boundless, furthermore the project put citizens across America to work. Despite the initial cost authorized, the investment proved a success by bringing the nation up to speed on transportation. …show more content…

Dwight D. Eisenhower at the time served as our United States President, his vision for how important the nation’s highways required attention lead to the policy which funded the Interstate project. Initially it began as a “client politics focus by providing subsidies to the highway lobby” (Dilger, 2003). This in essence spread the cost to many different groups which in turn kept the brunt of the bill off the mind of tax paying Americans, furthermore it created jobs!
Funding our nation’s interstates required backing from both the federal as well as civilian sector. The popularity of convenient travel fostered popularity amongst tax payers. Like any expenditure, it’s no surprise that citizens wear tired of funding something out of their own pockets via tax dollars. “The initial funding of $175 million was a great start however President Nixon pushed the budget to a staggering $50 billion for a 10 year span” (Weingroff, 1996). The growing cost over the next few decades began to wear people’s popularity

Show More
Related
385 Words | 2 Pages

What are the pros and cons of the current highway funding structure as related the taxes paid by motor carriers? After reading this week’s lesson I came to realize that the current highway funding structure plays a big role in transportation policies through subsidy programs for the federal and state governments. Pros: Motor fuel taxes have been the most important revenue mechanism for highway programs at the Federal and state levels.

Read More
545 Words | 3 Pages

According to an encyclopedia source,by 1919,”the need for a planned system of national highways became discernible with the proliferating common use of cars in the United States”(Source #4).In addition, another source claims that “more than 90 percent of the nation’s households have access to automobiles”(Source #7).As directly indicated by these two sources,automoibles weren’t a luxury,but rather they were true necessities for many. While cars were being produced between 1908 and 1927,specifically that of Henry Ford’s Model T,many people now wanted to travel however needed an effective system that would be able to save them much more time. As a result,these very crucial interstate highways have ultimately expanded

Read More
251 Words | 2 Pages

The Pan-American Highway Project recently unearthed a bunch of old bones, which were initially found by construction workers. The bones were turned over to scientists, who discovered that the large bones were part of the skeletons of over 40 marine animals. The bones belonged to animals like seals, aquatic sloths, and even an extinct species of sperm whales. These creatures are thought to have been killed off nearly 10,000 years ago.

Read More
397 Words | 2 Pages

Eisenhower signed the the Federal-Aid Highway Act which

Read More
633 Words | 3 Pages

“This landmark legislation, promoted by the national Good Roads Movement, marks the first time that the federal government provided assistance for state highway costs”(NSSGA, Johnson, and Allman). It not only changed the transporting of military equipment but also improved passage for every citizen. According to Trudy Hawkins, a writer for Government Book Talk, “This act established the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (aka the Interstate Highway System), one of largest public works programs in U.S. history and an integral part of U.S. economy and culture. The act created 41,000 miles of highways and is credited for improving the transportation of goods and services, and giving birth to the commuter”. The Constitution made it legal to travel freely and openly, but Dwight’s actions made it possible.

Read More
752 Words | 4 Pages

One being the Interstate Highway Act in 1956 (Nell Fuqua, 2003). This act provided for a 41,000 mile interstate highway system. It is the single largest public works program in American History (Nell Fuqua). Eisenhower also ended the Korean War by negotiating a cease-fire in which Korea was divided at the 38th parallel. One of the last things he accomplished was building the St. Lawerence Seaway in partnership with Canada (Nell Fuqua).

Read More
1110 Words | 5 Pages

While many would point to the space shuttle or the television as advancements of the 2-th century that defined society today, one that is often overlooked is the interstate highway system that was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower through the Interstate Highway Act. This highway system stretched 41,000 miles throughout the country to eliminate unsafe roads, inefficient routes, traffic jams and all of the other things that got in the way of “speedy, safe transcontinental travel” (History.com). What is significant about the interstate highway system is the vast scope that it affects. From the economy of the country to the leisure of the citizens, this system contributes to the success of the country significantly.

Read More
1828 Words | 8 Pages

By the mid-1920s, the main roads near and between large cities were getting seriously congested because of the increase in the number of automobiles. The large volume of traffic created a demand for more lanes and more interstate highways; consequently, the collection of tolls to finance federal highways between the principal cities was considered by the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) but was rejected. Early in 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt directed that a study be conducted that would assess the feasibility of constructing six routes as toll roads, three of which would be east-west routes from coast to coast and three would be routes that traversed the country from north to south (Deakin, 1989; FHWA, 1976; Williamson, 2012). Therefore, in the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1938, a feasibility

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

He even went so far as saying that “I am aware of the great importance of roads and canals and that a power in the national legislature to provide for them would be a good thing for the country. Source 5: Henry Clay’s speech to the U.S. He argues that the “American System”of internal improvements and tariffs like the 1824 which brought many benefits such as “Farming has expanded, and employment is high. Debt has been reduced, land is worth more, and a national market is slowly developing for American goods.” After the implementation of the 1824 tariff national debt decreased.

Read More
1009 Words | 5 Pages

The means of transport ranging water, sea, to land are one of the most essential for economic and social development both the region and across the borders of Texas. Good transport system facilitates easier fast movements of goods. The committee must come up with the suitable strategies that will ensure fast development of transport system. Kremen, Claire, and Miles reiterate that some of the transport networks that require much emphasis in every economy are; railroads, aviation, highways and transit, coast guard and maritime transport, and pipeline transport (4). Improved transport will also facilitate job accessibility.

Read More
1238 Words | 5 Pages

The fundamental discussion over the parkway development was the division of the financing between the Federal Government and the states. Unflinching, the President restored his require a "cutting edge, interstate parkway framework" in his 1956 State of the Union Address. Inside a couple of months, after significant level headed discussion and alteration in the Congress, The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 rose up out of the House-Senate gathering council. This demonstration approved the building of parkways all through the country, which would be the greatest open works extend in the country's history. In the demonstration, the interstate framework was extended to 41,000 miles, and to develop the system, $25 billion was approved for 1957 through 1969.

Read More
419 Words | 2 Pages

The Interstate Highway System The Interstate Highway System is beneficial to our safety and easy traveling. Without it, evacuation from cities and towns would be tough. Many people were opposed to the interstate because the plan cut through many towns and neighborhoods. The creation of the interstate, the usage and importance, and the opposition and revolts of the interstate are considerable topics to discuss.

Read More
787 Words | 4 Pages

America 's infrastructure plays a large role in america 's economy. One example of a change will be through transportation. Not having a stabilized form of transportation, will result in society not having a safe route to work. “If investments in infrastructure aren’t made at this time, families will have a lower standard of living, businesses will be paying more and producing less and our nation will lose ground in a global economy.” (America 's Infrastructure Report Card).

Read More
336 Words | 2 Pages

An example of some of some of the benefits is that the highway helped with the transportation of goods and people. It was easier to get things where they were supposed to go. The highway was an important economic tool it was used to boost employment in hard times. Highway construction and maintenance meant jobs for tens and thousands of people.

Read More
472 Words | 2 Pages

This advancement could potentially save thousands of lives in future generations. Unfortunately, on the other side of the spectrum there are “3.2 million people currently employed as delivery and heavy truck drivers.” In today’s world, automation is replacing blue collar occupations left and right leaving a detrimental financial predicament on those affected. Although, the trucking industry is a $700-billion industry, and a third of the cost goes to the drivers. These numbers are driving a burning sensation in people's wallets because if truck drivers are no longer required then the cost of transporting goods will decline significantly.

Read More

More about The Federal Highway Act Of 1956: A Policy Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document