Page:America's Highways 1776–1976.djvu/491



The System is nearing completion in rural areas and in most of the urban areas. The benefits derived in the new freedom of movement and safety of travel have been enormous. The movement of people and goods on this System results in a user-benefit ratio of about $2.90 for every dollar invested in the construction of the System over its service life period. The differential in operating safety on this highway system, over other highway systems, will result in a saving of an estimated 8,000 lives per year. The System contributes dramatically to the economic development of the areas it serves and, because of the advanced design features involved, will continue to serve this development long after other highways would have become functionally obsolete.

The “finished” System may yet be altered in urban areas as the 1973 Highway Act is implemented and as Congress gives further consideration to the total transportation needs in the large urban areas. However, these adjustments can and will be made without impairment of the total value of the Interstate System to this Nation’s economic growth and social well being.

The $90 billion level which is approximately the “cost of completion” of this giant public works project is a fair price for the end product. The highway system cannot be compared in service or in cost to the limited facility under consideration when the basic highway legislation was first being formulated. The Nation can well be grateful to the Congress for its wisdom in adjusting highway statutes to meet public interest requirements as the System developed. The end product will be a lasting testimonial to the Congress and to the highway organizations, State and Federal, who were responsible for carrying out the program.

485