AMERICAN ROAD BUILDING--FIFTY YEARS OF PROGRESS

Large portions of the nation's highway mileage have been constructed or surfaced during the past 50 yr. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1916, subsequent legislation, user taxes, and materials and equipment development have facilitated these improvements. A decade-by-decade account of principal road building activities notes rapid expansion in the 1920's. The 1930's were characterized by reduced activity, as early attempts to combat the economic depression and high unemployment by reducing highway spending were later complemented by public works programs involving road building. The Second World War reduced highway and bridge construction appropriations; however, the completion and use of a portion of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was significant and was imitated and improved by many states in the 1950's. The establishment of the Highway Trust Fund in the late 1950's was followed by rapid development and growth of the interstate highway system. /ASCE/

• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Busching, H W
  • Russell, R
• Publication Date: 1975-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 565-581
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Construction Division
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue Number: CO3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Federal aid; History; Road construction
• Identifier Terms: Interstate Highway System
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; History;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126134
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #11577 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 18 1975 12:00AM