10 0 th Anniversary Series Part III By Bill Boynton The Interstate Highway System NHDOT Public Information Officer Eisenhower returned home after WWII convinced that the United States needed a system of modern highways like the autobahn – both for military use in times of war, and for civilians in peacetime. A European model Within six years after the comple- tion of the first Cologne-Bonn auto- bahn in 1932, Germany added 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) of super highway to its road network. Although Hitler has often been given credit for the autobahn, the real precursors were the Avus experi- mental highway in Berlin (built between 1913 and 1921) and Italy’s 130-kilometer autostrada tollway Between 1932 and 1938 Germany added 1,860 miles of autobahn to its road network. between Milan and the northern Shown here on a section of the Cologne-Bonn autobahn in 1938 is another German engineering accomplishment: the Volkswagon. Photo © Bettmann/Corbis Italian lakes (completed in 1923). Although Germany’s depressed and absolute decision to see that the “Interstate” impacts where we live, economy and hyperinflation of the nation would benefit by it.” where we work, where we shop, and 1920s prevented plans for new auto- The Interstate Highway System what we do in our spare time. bahns from being built during that was launched on June 28, 1956 The Interstate Highway System is decade, many miles of roadway when President Eisenhower signed also one of the key reasons why we were built during the time of the legislation authorizing funding and love our cars so much. With a car, Third Reich. Hitler saw the con- the start of construction. coupled with the construction of the The inspirational “spark” (see the article about New Hamp- struction of autobahns primarily as The result: A 45,430-mile high- Interstate Highway System, Ameri- shire’s “Trunk Line Road System” in We must go back over 85 years to a military advantage. However, way system, costing over $130 bil- cans began to enjoy unprecedented or those of us in the transporta- the January/February 2004 issue of F fully understand how the Interstate highway construction as a job-cre- lion to build. It has been aptly freedom of movement. With the tion industry, we recognize that the New Hampshire Highways), a national Highway System in the United ation program in the 1930s was also referred to as “the greatest public construction of the Interstate High- Interstate Highway System forms solution to reliable interstate travel States came about. recognized by the German govern- works project in history.” The multi- way System, we were able to go the backbone of the transportation didn’t come until much later. In 1919, it took Lt. Col. Dwight ment as beneficial. ple-lane divided highways that where we want to go – and to get network in the United States. During World War II, as the Eisenhower 62 days to take an 81- The birth of the US Interstate make up the Interstate Highway Sys- there faster. As the United States Interstate Supreme Commander of Allied vehicle convoy from Washington Highway System tem have also proven to be a safer, Because of Interstate 93 in New Highway System nears its fiftieth Forces in Europe, General Eisenhow- DC to San Francisco, California. The quicker, and more efficient means of Hampshire, for example, Boston anniversary (in 2006), and in cele- er was stunned by the speed and In his 1967 book, At Ease: Stories I convoy averaged only 50 miles per moving people and goods than con- area residents now think nothing of bration of the 100th Anniversary of ease with which the German forces Tell to Friends, Eisenhower wrote, day. In some stretches, the road was ventional two-lane roads. hopping into their cars for a day trip the New Hampshire Good Roads (and their equipment) could move “After seeing the autobahns of mod- little more than gravel or dirt. Also to the White Mountains. Association, it is appropriate to across Germany. His assessment, as a ern Germany and knowing the asset How “the Interstate” has along the way, 88 bridges were iden- include the Interstate Highway Sys- soldier, was that the German auto- these highways were to the Ger- changed our lives Bringing a diverse nation tified as “unable to bear the load.” tem in New Hampshire as our fourth bahn (the modern highway system mans, I decided, as President, to put together While deficient highway and The creation of the Interstate High- feature in our 100th Anniversary created during the Third Reich) an emphasis on this kind of road bridge conditions were being ad- way System has dramatically While initially inspired by military series. How have roads like I-93, I-89 enabled Germany to extend the war building. This was one thing I felt dressed in a variety of ways by indi- changed the way we go about our concerns, the creation of the Inter- and I-95 changed all of our lives? in Europe for two years! deeply about, and I made a personal vidual states during this time period daily lives. The proximity of an state Highway System also facilitated 26 New Hampshire Highways —MAY / JUNE 2004 New Hampshire Highways —MAY / JUNE 2004 27 NHGRA 100th Anniversary Series Part III THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM (continued) loaded (see related feature story on Highway Act and the Highway Rev- pages 8-13). Maintenance is one enue Act in 1956 to provide neces- issue. Expansion is another. There sary revenue to build and improve are simply too many vehicles now the Interstate Highway System. using the Interstate Highway System Where does the money come in the United States to keep up with from? From 1998-2002, motorists the maintenance and expansion generated approximately $142.5 bil- issues necessary to keep the Inter- lion (the gasoline tax) in revenue for state Highway System safe. the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Road travel on our national Inter- What does it cost to repair and state Highway System has more maintain America’s Interstate High- than quadrupled since the system’s way System? The current cost of inception in 1956. While there have making essential repairs and been many improvements over the improvements to the Interstate years, traffic congestion (and associ- Highway System is currently about ated safety issues) remains a problem $59 billion annually. This estimated in New Hampshire and across the amount is just to repair and main- country. Thirty-seven percent of tain the roadways and bridges that America’s major urban Interstate make up the Interstate Highway Sys- Construction of I-93 in Tilton in May 1963. highways are now rated as “severely tem today. congested.” New Hampshire’s I-93 is access to the Lakes Region and • Vehicle travel on New Hamp- Can you leave your car at one of them. the White Mountains. shire’s Interstate Highway System Interstate 89 under construction in the 1960s. Photo shows construction of northbound lanes near home? current Exit 5. Vehicle travel on our national • Fourteen miles of multilane high- increased by 67 percent from Interstate highways has increased by New federal laws are now placing way were opened in Nashua and 1984 to 1994. important and valuable cultural 157 percent since 1970. The nation’s greater emphasis on developing a so- on Interstate 89 in the Warner- • New Hampshire’s Interstate transformations. Interstates have total population has grown by 38 called intermodal transportation New London area in November routes support 21 percent of unified our nation physically, eco- percent during the same time peri- system that will link the nation’s 1967. A total of 39 miles of mod- motor vehicle travel while com- nomically, and culturally. The Inter- od. New road construction has highways, waterways, rail and air ern highway was completed in prising just 1.5 percent of all the state Highway System now links 90 increased by only 6 percent over the systems to ensure continued eco- 1967 for a total of $19 million. state’s public road mileage. percent of all American cities with same time period. You can do the nomic growth. • The last section of I-89 is finished • The average motorist in New populations greater than 50,000. math. Are you prepared to shed your in 1968 connecting I-93 in Bow Hampshire travels about 2,540 According to the University of The great American economic dependence on the automobile? Per- to I-91 in White River Junction, miles each year on the Interstate North Carolina Professor David Vermont. Highway System. Construction of I-93 in Franconia Notch begins engine that the Interstate Highway haps someday we’ll all be flying Hartgen, what was initially sold to in June 1965. System helped to create in the around like the Jetsons. But for the • Construction begins in 1984 on the American people as a defense How to learn more and get 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s is now foreseeable future, the Interstate the final section of I-93 from Lit- measure soon became an “economic “the suburbs” possible. As the Inter- involved more or less “biting its tail.” Current Highway System will continue to tleton to the Vermont state line. weapon that created the first far- state Highway System became fully To learn more about the Interstate congestion throughout the national provide the backbone of our trans- • In 1988, the last remaining sec- flung commercial society.” established in the 1960s, 1970s and Highway System in the United Interstate Highway System is wast- portation needs. tion of I-93 through Franconia Like it or not, the “Interstate” has 1980s, increasing numbers of people States and to contact national ing resources and stifling economic Notch is formally dedicated.