Is the U.S. Interstste System Good or Bad?

Question

I am doing this survey for a school assingment.

Answer 1

It is good as a way to get around but the roads and bridges are falling apart.

Coach

Answer 2

The U.S. interstate system is a masterpiece of engineering and construction. By and large the entire system is usually 100% maintained or under repair/expansion. To the person who answered that the system is not set-up for aircraft landing & take off -- WRONG! I forget the exact specifications but all interstate roads are required to have a one mile stretch that is straight, flat and free of overpasses and wires at set intervals across the ENTIRE nation. This is for emergency aircraft landing and possible civil defense purposes. Fashioned after the German Autobahn (another great highway system that so impressed the U.S. military leaders for their ability of high speed transport of troops and equipment across Germany, President Eisenhower made certain America should have it's own version) our system has far exceeded it in scope and execution. Because of the basic standards of construction, signage and on-off ramps it is a joy to drive 99% of the time (the exceptions would be metro Atlanta, St. Louis, Houston, etc. at peak traffic). Where else can you possibly start at the Atlantic coast and drive all the way to the Pacific ocean and never have to deviate more than a few hundred yards off the interstate for gas, food, etc.?

Answer 3

In view of the fact that you must be too young to remember what it was like before the Interstate Highways existed, or when there were only a few of them, I'll not try to explain that nightmare.

For your assignment, I recommend that you go to the archives of your library and look through some old newspapers (ask the librarian for help), and see for yourself the old way of traveling. The automobile drove on deeply rutted dirt roads, frequently, single lanes, and the highways, when they came into being, were mostly two lane with little shoulders (if any at all). Then, four lane highways came along, but traffic from every side road had access to them, making travling through populated areas outside of cities very dangerous. Traffic coming out onto the highway from the side road had to judge how fast the guy on the highway was coming and take a chance pulling out of his side road. Some rural areas still have that situation, but today's drivers are a little more familiar with speed and they come out with plenty of space to get up to speed.

The Freeway, which is what the Interstate System is, a series of freeways, is just what the word freeway means. It's free of side road traffic. Autos coming onto it have ramps and lanes to enter on that provide all a much safer drive. Also, to be able to drive from State to State without going through each downtown area along the way is so much better than going through red light after red light, slow traffic, etc.

(Having gone from one side of the U.S. to the other numerous times...)My answer is:

YES!!! THE U.S. INTERSTATE SYSTEM IS GOOD...in fact...IT'S WONDERFUL!!!

The contrary opinion to all the good might be the fact that many restaurants and small businesses that got the traffic that is now routed to the Interstate are hurting, or have had to re-locate their business closer to the Interstate. With change, some will always be upset, others will benefit.

Answer 4

Without a first class system of interstate highways, life in America would be far different --- it would be more risky, less prosperous, and lacking in the efficiency and comfort that Americans now enjoy and take for granted. People would be crowded into more densely packed inner cities, intercity travel would occur less often and be more cumbersome; freight charges would be higher and, as a consequence, so would prices. Vacation travel would be more restricted.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways is in place and celebrating its 40th anniversary, must surely be the best investment a nation ever made. Consider this:

It has enriched the quality of life for virtually every American.

It has saved the lives of at least 187,000 people.

It has prevented injuries to nearly 12 million people.

It has returned more than $6 in economic productivity for each $1 it cost.

It has positioned the nation for improved international competitiveness.

It has permitted the cherished freedom of personal mobility to flourish.

It has enhanced international security.

It is not an exaggeration, but a simple statement of fact, that the interstate highway system is an engine that has driven 40 years of unprecedented prosperity and positioned the United States to remain the world's pre-eminent power into the 21st century.

While it is not typically thought of in this way, the system is in reality a gift from one group of people --- highway users --- to the nation as a whole, which has reaped a gain of at least $6 in benefit for each $1 spent in construction. And that's just the beginning --- there are additional benefits such as higher employment rates and greater economic opportunity that are simply beyond quantification. Fortunately, the group of people who paid for the interstate highway system is sufficiently large that it's difference from the nation as a whole is virtually without distinction. But it is a worthy difference to keep in mind as a backdrop for public policy deliberations over future funding of highways.

This report provides an assessment of the manifold benefits of the interstate highway system. Research by leading transportation authorities and standard statistical methods have been used to estimate the impacts of the interstate highway system. The imperative for upgrading the interstate highway system and other super-highways is described and shown to be readily affordable within the capability of present highway user fee revenue.

The interstate highway system has contributed mightily to the economic growth and quality of life in America. The interstates and other super-highways will continue to contribute to economic growth and improved quality of life if necessary investments are made. In large measure, the interstate highway system has democratized mobility in the United States, providing virtually all Americans with the ability to move quickly to any destination within their communities and to travel throughout the nation, inexpensively, and at whatever time or date they desire.

Answer 5

It is on the good side. The only problem is that in case of times of war it is not set up to land and take off aircraft from like in some other nations. But it does let things move faster across the country like it was supose to. To me the bigger problem is that the us did not set up better train systems to reduce gas consumption like other nations did to which increased our dependancy on oil.

Answer 6

yes it works fine and most of it is not real old and is in good shape, the I-55 here in central IL is only since 1979

ignore soccer coach, thy are not helpful at all

the bridges and such are not falling apart.... they are repaired or replaced when necessary, its costs millions to repair sections of freeway, and bridges, however it is done when needed, a state canand does get federal money to help do the work, each state has its own department of transportation in which is in charge of that state's freeways and highways and maintainence of them





good luck

Answer 7

Excellent

Try navigating on roads in foreign countries .

Answer 8

its great you can drive all over on good roads...coast to coast!