The Unforeseen Consequences of the American Interstate System-- Part 3: In Case of Imminent Nuclear Attack

President Eisenhower was still a firm believer in the interstate system.  He had also driven on Germany's Autobahn at the conclusion of World War II and experienced the degree of efficiency it offered.

The United States had been embroiled in the Cold War by the time Eisenhower took office and their were concerns of how fast people could be routed from cities if nuclear strikes were imminent.  

In 1956, Congress passed the National System of Interstate Defense Highways Act, an upgraded version of the previous highway acts.  Now, $26 billion  federal dollars would be available to complete the 40,000 mile-long project.

--RoadDog