Mineta kicks off Interstate anniversary

Feb. 6, 2006
Transportation Secretary Norman Y Mineta kicked off the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System at a meeting of the Transportation Research Board annual meeting January 23.

Transportation Secretary Norman Y Mineta kicked off the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System at a meeting of the Transportation Research Board annual meeting January 23.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) plans a national coast-to-coast convoy in June that will recall a trip made in 1919 by Dwight D Eisenhower, then a young soldier. When he became president, Eisenhower supported legislation that Congress eventually approved to establish the highway system.

AASHTO's convoy will begin in San Francisco on June 15 and travel the Interstate 80 corridor to Washington DC, arriving June 29, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Interstate Highway Act by Eisenhower.

A smaller group will temporarily leave the main route to travel to the Eisenhower Library in Abilene KS prior to rejoining the convoy. State transportation departments have planned many family-friendly events at stops along the convoy route.

In addition, AASHTO is also conducting an extensive research program and is planning policy conferences on options for the future Interstate system.

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