The Interstates...
an overview. Some will know that Eisenhower was in large part responsible for the building of our current interstate system. The overall goal was to span the east to the west with roadways that would ...
Forum Discussion
Dog Folks wrote:
The instate was championed by Eisenhower after he saw the German Autobon system in 1919....
What's your source for that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Dwight_D._Eisenhower#Early_military_career
Eisenhower did not go to Europe during or after WW1. He was part of a US military convoy that drove cross country in 1919 - following the incomplete Lincoln Hwy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcontinental_Motor_Convoy
Autobahn construction began in 1929, with the first section opened in 1932. It was preceeded by an Italian autostrada in 1924. But apparently Hitler's propaganda machine was effective - he is credited with inventing the Autobahn. A lot was constructed in the prewar years (1/4 of current mileage), but it wasn't all that useful for war purposes. Most German troop and equipment movement was by rail.
http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth08.htm
The Pasadena Freeway opened in 1940, as did the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
FHWA history
According to this, there was a 2cent federal gas tax that went to the Treasury. After the 1956 bill, the gas tax was 3 cents, and went exclusively to the Highway Trust Fund. By 1993 this tax had increased to 18 cents (29 cents in current dollars), and for about 5 years the latest increase went to debt reduction. Now the Highway Trust Fund gets infusions from the general budget.
