jun 22, 1956 - Federal
Highway Act
Description:
This legislation was important and far reaching. Initially it provided $27 billion for the construction of 42,000 miles of modern 4 lane subdivided highways. A boon to oil, auto, trucking, suburbia, hotels/motel and restaurants, it is perhaps the genesis of modern sprawl and America's unquenchable thirst for petroleum. It had a negative impact on rail freight and passenger service and seriously jeopardizes air quality. What they started in 1956 was the beginning of the largest, safest and best highway system on earth. It links the entire United States and has been expanded and maintained continuously since the original 42,000 miles of road.
Added to timeline:
APUSH
Date:
