Many mass construction projects in the history of the United States have had a major impact on the economy and culture; however, not many of these have had as large as an impact as the Interstate Highway Act of 1956. The Interstate Highway Act revolutionized the way that we think about highways today. The act created an extremely easy mode of transportation for people across the country. Not only was the Interstate Highway Act extremely helpful in making rural and urban transportation for normal people, but it also helped commercial businesses in increasing sales across the country. These businesses were now able to transport their goods cheaper and faster. The Interstate Highway Act was tremendously beneficial in regards to its economic, social, and cultural significance. The legislation was significant economically in the way that it promoted business and cut travel costs, it was significant socially in the way that it allowed people to see friends and family even if they did not live close, and it was significant culturally in the way that it allowed people to move out to the country for low costs in order to live a happier life. Despite the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 being intended primarily for the use of U.S citizens, the first Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1921 was for the purpose of increasing transportation efficiency of the military during and after World War I. Although Woodrow Wilson intended for this purpose, it soon became clear that these roads were beginning to become very popular among normal citizens. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1921 had a relatively limited $75 million budget for improving the roads; this small budget proved to be inadequate for the large project that the United States planned to embark on.... ... middle of paper ... ..., and social aspects of society. It was one of the main reasons why the United States had so much success throughout the 1950s. It allowed more businesses to prosper, while also increasing the quality of life for normal people. It also boosted sales in one of the biggest industries in America to this day: the automobile industry. Even today the Interstate Highway proves to be one of the greatest investments the United States has ever made; the Interstate Highway has made $6 for every $1 it cost to make(Wendell Cox & Jean Love). Eisenhower was right when he said “the expansion and improvement of our roads and highways have been major factors in the development of our economy and will continue to be so in the years ahead,” the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 was a true turning point for America as a country culturally, economically, and socially (Eisenhower, Dwight D).
After 1830, the construction of railroads and macadam turnpikes began to bring improved transportation facilities to come American communities, but the transportation revolution did not affect most rural roads until the twentieth century. Antebellum investors, public and private,...
The Trans-Canada highway act was passed down by the parliament in 1949 , which is the year after St-Laurent was elected as the prime minister of Canada. The act offered the provinces a 50-50 split on the cost of building a highway from coast to coast to reduce the federal money and decreased the needs of taxes. Moreover, as one can see from its name, this act's purpose is to approve the establishment of the Trans-Canada Highway. As a matter of fact, Trans-Canada highway is extremely advantageous for Canada and is the world's longest national highway as it stretches from Victoria, British Columbia to St. John's, Newfoundland, connecting all 10 provinces together. Before this transportation systems existed, passengers and goods have to cross Canada by horse wagons or boat, which could take months to reach the planned destination. However, this significant project allows companies to ship Canada's abundant natural resources across the wor...
Throughout the book Tom Lewis goes back and forth between the good and bad that came about from building highways. While the paved roads connected our country, made travel time faster, provided recreation, and pushed the development of automobiles they also created more congestion and travel time, divided communities, and made us slaves to automobiles. The author is critical of the highways, but he does realize the great achievement it is in the building of America. Lewis said, “As much as we might dislike them, we cannot escape the fact that ...
The Ohio Highway State Patrol has a long history of enforcing laws and keeping the wellness and safety of all Ohioans everywhere. The patrol has a responsibility to the public to uphold their duties as officers to protect life ,traffic and public; to provide safe roadways, emergency support, and investigate criminal activity.
We take them for granted when driving miles to the closest mall. We are unconscious of their usefulness when traveling to see a distant relative by car. We can't take a moment to stop and admire their beauty and usefulness; the architectural wonders that are highways and their interchanges; which have such a rich history embedded in the American suburbia of today. Let's go back to the early 1900's, when the automobile was starting to become a dominate part of the American life (Morton, 2014). Around this time; a shift began to occur towards private transportation over public by influencing policies in their favor (Nicolaides and Wiese, 2006). One of these polices was created by the Federal Aid Highway of 1925; the United States Highway System which basically expanded the highways across the United States connecting one another, creating new opportunities for growth in many areas (Weingroff, 1996). This had many effects on different factors of the American way of life; specifically suburbia (Morton, 2014). After the war, the private home that was a luxury a few years prior, was now becoming affordable for many thanks to low interest rates and flexible payments through the National Housing Act of 1934, created by the Federal Housing Administration (Fishman, 1987). Perfect example of a policy acting towards private over public was the Los Angles Master Plan of 1941, which pushed the direction of private automobiles and singles households: there being 1.16 million cars (2.4 people per car) and having 31 percent of the city land dedicated for single family homes, this was really solidifying the post suburbia lifestyle (Fishman, 1987). In Los Angeles alone around this time, 900 square miles were transformed to tract development homes ...
The Trans Canada Highway had faced many challenges and criticism through the thirteen years it took to construct. The most common criticism it had faced was whether it reinforced the unity and national pride it was sent out to make. There are different viewpoints from political, personal and economical levels that challenge and support the implementation of the highway. Although there were many different challenges, the highway did support a unique unity that was specific to Canada. The Trans Canada Highway helped Canada unite as one and emerge through a symbol that supported Canadian nationalism.
When construction takes place, it is usually way before it is actually needed. Of course it is helping prevent dangerous and fatal occurrences but for the most part some of these changes can wait. Instead of spending so much money on our transportation category we should be putting more into education. “The money that the Federal Budget gives for education covers college aid loans, special education programs, free lunch to students in need, anti-discrimination efforts, research, and special programs” (Document D). Education is one of the most important things a person can have. ”
Another extreme transformation of the government was to focus federal spending on agriculture and infrastructure. These changes led to subsidizing farmers and developing infrastructure programs like the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act and The National Defense Education Act (NDEA). This in turn helped create jobs and encourage farmers to either plant crops or not to plant crops. Even though farmers received subsidies from the government, so much was produced that there became a huge surplus. This led to major trading with foreign countries and transformed American society and government.
The construction of railroads in California impacted the state physically, socially, and economically; and ultimately helped propel California into the state it is today. During a time when masses of people were migrating to California but were doing so in an inefficient, and sometimes dangerous way, the first transcontinental railroad provided a fast and easier alternative. During the 1850's and 60's California was booming as many people from across the country uprooted their lives and headed west to begin a new life and attempt to strike it rich. Covered wagons were not an ideal way of travel but were the only way to go until the railroads were constructed.
Railroads first appeared around the 1830’s, and helped the ideas of Manifest Destiny and Westward expansion; however, these were weak and didn’t connect as far as people needed, thus causing them to be forced to take more dangerous routes. On January 17th, 1848, a proposal was sent to Congress by Asa Whitney to approve and provide federal funding...
The Texas government is a complex system whose ultimate purpose is to serve its citizens. Oftentimes, its complexity in certain aspects causes problems in its efficiency in serving. The way the Texas Constitution is written, how local governments run, the judicial, legislative, and executive branches’ efficiency, as well as Texas public policy and fiscal policy result in a government that is not set up to best serve its citizens.
The transcontinental railroad would eventually become a symbol of much-needed unity, repairing the sectionalism that had once divided the nation during the Civil War. The construction of the transcontinental railroad was also an extension of the transportation revolution. Once commodities such as gold were found in the western half of America, many individuals decided to move themselves and their families out west in search of opportunity. Not only did the railroad help to transport people, but it also it allowed for goods to be delivered from companies in the east. In the end, the American transcontinental railroad created a national market, enabling mass production, and stimulated industry, while greatly impacting American society through stimulated immigration and urbanization.
The Transcontinental railroad could be defined as the most monumental change in America in the 19th century. The railroad played a significant role in westward expansion and on the growth and development of the American economy (Gillon p.653). However, the construction of the transcontinental railroad may not have occurred if not for the generous support of the federal government. The federal government provided land grants and financial subsidies to railroad companies to ensure the construction. The transcontinental railroad contributed to the formation of industry and the market economy in America and forever altered the American lifestyle.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Works eventually came up with a plan that called for an elevated highway 1.5 miles long through the heart of downtown Boston, accompanied by an Inner Belt that wrapped around downtown Boston to the west. In 1948 City and State officials approved a master plan, construction commenced in 1950. As soon as construction had started it became quite clear that the supposedly revolutionary highway had major flaws.
When I first looked at the stimulus material packet, the one thing that stood out to me was the American side of the border in Frida Kahlo’s Self Portrait Between the Borderline of Mexico and the United States. As I was looking at the American side, I remembered an episode of Last Week Tonight, a satirical news show from HBO. In that episode, John Oliver discussed the dilapidated state of infrastructure in America. Although, as I was looking at the American side of the border, I saw gleaming factories and roads with industrial perfection, on the Mexican side, the only visible infrastructure was dirt roads. This caused me to wonder, how America's infrastructure compares with that of other countries,