Fun Fact Friday with Special Collections

Today we are going to talk about the Interstate System.

Begun in 1956, the Interstate System was a way to connect major cities with populations over 50,000 together via four-lane, divided highways. Inspired by the Reichsautobahn system in Germany, President Eisenhower was a huge supporter. In 1919, he experienced a crossing of part of the Lincoln Highway. These both inspired Eisenhower to push for a federal highway system that could support more cars and would link the US in case of the need for defense purposes.

Here in Special Collections are lots of information on the Interstate System. Both US Government Docs and Louisiana Room have a plethora of information pertaining to the Interstate System and plans for the improvements in our area. Examples include:

• Eisenhower Interstate System, TD 2.30/13:93-066
• The National Highway System: The backbone of America’s Intermodal Transportation Network, TD 2.30/16:94-002
• I-49 Connector Meetings: 1989 to present, HW 356.5 .l3 I46 2002
• Analysis of User Waiting Costs for Construction Projects on Louisiana’s Interstate Highway System, HE 336 .C64 A44 2003

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