June 29, 1956: President Eisenhower enacts the Federal Aid Highway Act

Monday 29 June 2009

President Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act into law June 29, 1956, allowing for the construction of 40,000 miles of interstate highways. The act, also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, appropriated $25 billion for the project, which was to take place over 10 years. Eisenhower believed the highways were needed for the purpose of national defense, arguing that in the event of an invasion, the U.S. military would need a reliable system of roads to transport troops and supplies.