On Jan 29, 9:59*am, Bruce wrote:

Trivia question (no fair Googling the answer): What was the primary
justification/purpose of the Interstate Highway System?

Wasn't it originally a Department of Defence project, inspired by the
autobahn network in Germany?

It was never of Defense Dept project.

Some of its backers used the autobhan network as an example to justify
the project. Early literature referred to it as a defense system. It
is said Eisenhower, who was president, was impressed with the
Autobahns.

But building improved roads was a continuing project of the US Govt
all along. IIRC, in 1944 they passed a new road building act which
evolved into the Interstate system.