Interstate Hwy System Turns 50
Thread Starter
|
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 874
Interstate Hwy System Turns 50
... the 46,000 miles of America's Interstate Highway System .... These multi-laned, guard-rail-clad corridors by now seem timeless, like pre-Cambrian mountains bolted to the landscape. So it's hard to believe that America's freeway system turns 50 this summer ....
I thought this might be worthy of discussion, particularly in light of the pace at which most Americans travel the highways now, and the seemingly endless road construction that is occurring is most major metro areas.
I mean, even the Disney-Pixar animated flick, Cars, spends a lot of time noting the affect of the Interstate Highway System and the decline in "small towns" as highways bypassed around them.
Last edited by GeekGal; Jul 3, 2006 at 05:55 PM.
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 351
From: Deep in the heart of Florida
Re: Interstate Hwy System Turns 50
Eisenhower pushed the Interstate system as a military asset. During WW2, he noted how the Germans used their Autobahn system to quickly move troops and material around the country. The conveniences for civilian motorists and businesses are an added side benefit. (If you think your local roads are crowded now, imagine them with a gazillion 18-wheelers trudging on them instead of quickly getting to their destinations via the Interstates.)
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Re: Interstate Hwy System Turns 50
Originally Posted by tanstaafl14
. . . (If you think your local roads are crowded now, imagine them with a gazillion 18-wheelers trudging on them instead of quickly getting to their destinations via the Interstates.)
Bob Wilson
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 351
From: Deep in the heart of Florida
Re: Interstate Hwy System Turns 50
Originally Posted by bwilson4web
Actually freight used to move by rail . . . not so door-to-door but quite efficiently.
Bob Wilson
Bob Wilson
Then imagine how much more pollution there would be if every motorist had to slow down and/or stop in every little town along the US and state highways instead of efficiently cruising along on the Interstates.
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trekwars2000
Ford Escape Hybrid
16
Sep 26, 2008 08:23 AM
