The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 29, 1956. It authorized the construction of 41,000 miles (66,000 km) of interstate highways at a cost of $26 billion (equivalent to $283 billion in 2021). The act was the largest public works project in American history and had a profound impact on the development of the country.
Prior to the Interstate Highway Act, the vast majority of travel in the United States was done on local and state roads. These roads were often narrow, poorly maintained, and congested. In addition, there was no direct connection between the different regions of the country. The Interstate Highway Act changed all of this by creating a national network of high-speed, limited-access highways that made travel faster, easier, and safer.
The construction of the interstate highway system had a number of other positive effects on the United States economy. It created millions of jobs, helped to spur economic growth, and made it possible for businesses to move their goods more efficiently. The interstate highway system also made it possible for people to travel more easily to national parks and other tourist destinations, which helped to boost the tourism industry.
The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 is considered one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. It had a profound impact on the development of the country and continues to benefit Americans to this day.