60 years ago this week, the Interstate Highway System was born

[cpzilliacus]

WMAZ Channel 13, Macon, Georgia: 60 years ago this week, the Interstate Highway System was born

Although its true genesis can be traced to a 1939 report to the US Congress, what we know of today as the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System began construction 60 years ago this week -- August 13, 1956 -- on a stretch of what was then US Highway 40, and is now Interstate 70, in St. Charles, Mo.

The original Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 allowed for the construction of the first 37,000 miles of Interstate highways, with highways in Missouri and Kansas being the first shovel-ready projects to get underway. Other projects soon followed.

A sign overlooking the St. Charles construction project proclaimed, "This is the first project in the United States on which actual construction was started under provisions of the new Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956."

[nexus73]

All these years I thought Kansas had the first stretch since that was Eisenhower's home state.  Oh well, you learn something new every day!

Rick

[DevalDragon]

It's interesting you call Kansas Eisenhower's Home State, even though he was born in Texas.

http://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/eisenhower-birthplace-state-historic-site

[CtrlAltDel]

It's interesting you call Kansas Eisenhower's Home State, even though he was born in Texas.

Are you suggesting that people can't make a home in a state they weren't born in? That seems strange to me.

[briantroutman]

Are any of those "Interstate - 50 Years"  signs still floating around out there? I haven't seen any evidence of the FHWA or state DOTs doing anything to mark the passing of the 60th anniversary.

[texaskdog]

It's interesting you call Kansas Eisenhower's Home State, even though he was born in Texas.

Are you suggesting that people can't make a home in a state they weren't born in? That seems strange to me.

Like how the Bushes are still "from Texas" and Hillary was "from New York".  It's not that easy sometimes.

[DevalDragon]

Illinois still has quite a few of them around. But they're the only state I can recall seeing them.

Are any of those "Interstate - 50 Years"  signs still floating around out there? I haven't seen any evidence of the FHWA or state DOTs doing anything to mark the passing of the 60th anniversary.