Building National Defense Interstate Highways 1961

The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (commonly known as the Interstate Highway System, Interstate Freeway System, Interstate System, or simply the Interstate) is a network of controlled-access highways that forms a part of the National Highway System of the United States. The system is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. Construction was authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, and the original portion was completed 35 years later, although some urban routes were cancelled and never built. The network has since been extended and, as of 2013, it had a total length of 47,856 miles (77,017 km).[2] As of 2013, about one-quarter of all vehicle miles driven in the country use the Interstate system.[3] In 2006, the cost of construction was estimated at about $425 billion[4] (equivalent to $511 billion in 2015.

Built with the backing of C. E. Wilson who before becoming Eisenhower's secretary of Defense had been the President of General Motors. In his new position he pushed for the development of a national highway system much like the German autobahns.

Not only would this allow American tanks to travel freely if we were invaded by say -- Mexico or Canada (being sarcastic here) but it would stimulate auto sales as people ditched trains and buses and head out on the highway in their Chevrolets. This was very much like what the DuPonts (the family that owned GM, did after WWI) and they wanted to see it happen again but on a grander scale.

S544

[Thxsober]

I remember taking many family trips when I was a kid in the early 1960s and you would get on the Interstate and drive 50 or 60 miles at 70 mph and you would have to get off and spend 2 1/2 hours driving 30 or 40 miles on bumper to bumper 2 lane roads before you came to another section of finished Interstate HWY. When we were on the two-lane roads, you didn't ask dad any questions or make any requests and it better be real quiet in the back seat area.

[tackyman]

Rest areas: one of the finest travel features ever. America's bladders thank you!

[harponercam]

Most young people have no perspective on the massive permanent changes the Interstates brought to American life. I was a kid when they came into being, and they were at first always just two lanes in each direction- even the city belts.  I had to travel a few years back the roads between Florida and Indiana which we did several times on vacations when I was young, and it boggles my mind- I was emotionally disturbed by the massive changes, especially when I though about what changes the next 40 or 50 years might bring to life.

[markjones]

I remember long trips on the interstate with my family as a kid. "Dad, I gotta go to the bathroom!" "Tie a knot in it, kid! We ain't stopping!"

[ronaldtartaglia]

We take for granted how important and convenient this huge undertaking was. Visit a country that doesn’t have a highway system like ours. Then you will realize it. God bless America.

[Bigbacon]

And now we can even repair or pave like 2 miles of highway in a few months it seems

[mustange]

Its crazy that in 15 years they built so much highway back then. Now as an example, there is a 5 mile stretch of freeway they have been working on for a year and still not even half way done. Take note how they give progress reports and tell the public how much payroll is? Good luck getting that today!

[mikebronicki]

"82 feet of pavement per vehicle!" Also notice how deserted the highways were on 1961.

[Igrowyourbiz]

lol - remember when the STATONWAGON was what the SUV of TODAY was?

[GEMINITREKKER]

There was alot of controversy at the time ( before my time) of building an interstate between Boston and small town New Hampshire and Vermont. Citizens were worried that the interstates would bring Crime, Drugs and other vices out of the Cities to the Small Towns! It would be the subject of many a debate at Local Barber Shops, Beauty Parlors and Supermarket Aisles. In the end, the Highways brought tourist dollars out of the Cities to the Ski Areas, Lakes and other tourist attractions in our small States. It was more of a benefit, than a problem. Now the trend seems to be getting off the interstates and taking the Main Streets and Backroads of these places.

[GroomLeader]

I like how the film is a presentation of the Portland Cement Company. No doubt that they got a goodly share of the work for building the highways. And that NOT a slam against the company.

[schwenda]

They should've captioned EVERY last stretch of rural interstate in this old vid back then for future (present) generations to see exactly how rural some now suburban areas were; I was surprised to learn exactly how rural St. Charles County, Missouri used to be even less than 40 years ago, let alone SIXTY...

[ArtiePenguin]

At 12:45, that section of I-40 in Albuquerque looks almost the same today with the drainage ditch channel running down the middle of the Interstate from San Mateo to Eubank. In the video, it looks like we are looking east on I-40 just before the Eubank interchange. Of course, the rest of the area around the road has changed dramatically, the road is now 4 lanes each way and there's a sprawling city all around it at the point.

[avexp]

A common sight before the days of PCV valves - a dark, oily film down the center of each lane of traffic from all the oil mist being discharged from crankcase breather pipes. Not to mention unburned blowby gases.

[aljawisa]

Just to expand a 3 mile 4 (n/s) lane section of freeway to 8 lanes now takes 5 years, in California.

[benjaminriley]

11:45 I90 Belvidere Oasis near the Chrysler plant in northern IL. I remember stopping there several times in the early 90s when I was younger before they re did everything and it looked exactly like that. Crazy to see it just after being built.

[kayokayo]

Good content people don't even thank about all of this and were grateful

[joegoldman]

This was the time in America history when every single American was happy.24 hours a day.Just listen to that cheerful background music that proves the point

[ralphjames]

8:25 tell that to I-10 in West Texas, I-40 west of Amarillo, I-40 west of Albuquerque, and I-40 near the North Carolina Welcome Center that leads off into The Woods!!!

[Kevin]

Old Timer: Back in my day we threw parties on the highway. Everybody who was anybody was there.