Dave Wells Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 In the summer of 1919, bored military officer Dwight D Eisenhower volunteered for an unusual duty – escorting a military convoy from Washington DC to San Francisco, California. The epic road trip took 62 days at an average of 52 miles a day, and it opened the future president’s eyes to the shoddy state of America’s roads. Even the Lincoln Highway was already pocked by ruts and potholes, and the convoy got stuck in ditches and trapped by low bridges. Eisenhower would later take the lead in creating the Interstate system. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted August 4 Share Posted August 4 I just read the story in POCI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Wells Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 It's interesting that it took another world war and 35 years for Congress to agree that the country needed an interstate highway system. it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Johnson Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 There's a very good book on the subect - I read it shortly after it was published: https://www.amazon.com/American-Road-Story-Transcontinental-Journey/dp/080506883X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Layden B Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 As Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during WWII, Eisenhower saw firsthand the mobility advantage that the German autobahn gave to their army. As President, Eisenhower realized the great commercial boost the Interstate System would and did give to the American economy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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