Source: http://www.time.com/time/nation/arti...207986,00.html

I thought this might be worthy of discussion, particularly in light of the pace at which most Americans travel the highways now, and the seemingly endless road construction that is occurring is most major metro areas.

I mean, even the Disney-Pixar animated flick, Cars, spends a lot of time noting the affect of the Interstate Highway System and the decline in "small towns" as highways bypassed around them.

- Shannon (Geeky, Wild Texan)

Eisenhower pushed the Interstate system as a military asset. During WW2, he noted how the Germans used their Autobahn system to quickly move troops and material around the country. The conveniences for civilian motorists and businesses are an added side benefit. (If you think your local roads are crowded now, imagine them with a gazillion 18-wheelers trudging on them instead of quickly getting to their destinations via the Interstates.)

Actually freight used to move by rail . . . not so door-to-door but quite efficiently.

Bob Wilson

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True, and freight still moves by rail. Now imagine the additional traffic disruption with many times more trains blocking the roads at all hours.

Then imagine how much more pollution there would be if every motorist had to slow down and/or stop in every little town along the US and state highways instead of efficiently cruising along on the Interstates.