Bob Cullen

Please state your name and tell us about your background.

My name is Bob Cullen. I have been a part of The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials since 1996. I have also had several articles published and have given presentations about the system. It is something that I am truly passionate about.

With respect to the Interstate System, what was the most influential event leading to its need in the 20th century?

I would say that it was mainly attributable to the growing prominence of highways in the United States, and because highways had become a part of the fabric of our daily life. Starting in the 1890s, there was a massive growth in the need of automobiles to get to various places and complete various activities. By World War II, the realization that we needed to keep pace with the rest of the world hit us- one thing to highlight is that after World War One, a group of army soldiers formed a convoy to test the range of our transportation system. They left from D.C. and went along the Lincoln Highway. Dwight Eisenhower was a part of that team, and he realized that a difference had to be made.

What, in your opinion, were the most pronounced flaws of the U.S. original Interstate System?

These roads did serve their purposes, to an extent. Roads at that time were mismatched, and there was no formity or definite system. Some roads were incomplete. Our roads were still not meeting the United States standards and high paramount reputation of the time.

Concerning Adolph Hitlers Autobahns, what exactly did his road system have that ours did not?

As deplorable as Hitler was, he did indeed come up with an impressive road system. The Autobahns had a high level of operation, which definitely left a strong impression on Eisenhower. He knew that we were not at our potential in terms of roads. However, as much as the Autobahns benefitted Germany, they in fact made it easier for enemies in the war to get into the country. Despite this, Germany had a very high-quality network that in a lot of respects was lacking in the United States. Nothing quite compared to the Autobahn.

Why were Eisenhowers suggestions for an Interstate System disputed on a financial level, and how were these problems solved when the Federal Highway Act of 1956 was finally agreed upon?

All projects are disputed on some level or another, and the Interstate was no exception. Although everyone supported the idea, the issue of finance was a sore point. These were very controversial topics of debate. Some wanted to produce toll roads, but ultimately there was a strong level of people who wanted government paved highways. Congress, naturally, was weary about this. Until 1956, legislation was put off. What finally brought the bill though was a compromise between those of all opinions on how to finance the Interstate System.

What specific evidence or statistics can be used to show the Interstate Highway Systems effects, positive and negative, on U.S. economies?

One basic point is that, in a lot of ways, the interstate lived up to the expectation that it would benefit our economic health. I would also agree that the interstate is the backbone of our countrys economy. It strengthened retail and business and improved the freight industry, among other things.

In your opinion, do the positive effects of the Interstate System outweigh the negative?

I would make the argument that it has yielded mostly positive benefits. However, thats not to say that there werent drawbacks. There were environmental issues that Eisenhower was somewhat ignorant about. Additionally, communities were destroyed. For an example, I live in Baltimore, and one of our dearest neighborhoods was at risk to an interstate project in the 1960s. Although protests prohibited this particular issue, other communities werent so lucky. In the end, its benefits are greater that its drawbacks. One example of a successful interstate is interstate 81 in Virginia, which allows many students to access universities that they could not otherwise. With such a matter as the interstate, there are always two sides of the story that must be acknowledged.

Thank you.