Page:Consideration for Reimbursement for Certain Highways on the Interstate System.pdf/8

2 following a study which the Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized and directed to conduct, in cooperation with the State highway departments, and other agencies as may be required, to determine which highways in the Interstate System measure up to the standards required by this title, including all related factors of cost, depreciation, participation of Federal funds, and any other items relevant thereto. A complete report of the results of such study shall be submitted to the Congress within ten days subsequent to January 2, 1958.

The 1956 act, in section 108 (d), also called for an estimate of the cost of completing the Interstate System, to be used as a basis for apportioning interstate funds among the States. A report of that work, A Report of Factors for Use in Apportioning Funds for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, as required by section 108 (d) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Public Law 627, 84th Cong.), is now being submitted to the Congress.

Close correlation between these two studies was necessary and was carefully observed. For purposes of both studies, it was necessary to determine the locations of the Interstate System routes in detail. It was also necessary to determine what improvements already made on these routes would be incorporated in the ultimate stage of development of the system in 1975. By July 1957, the States had submitted such information to the Bureau of Public Roads. Immediately thereafter the study called for in section 114 of the 1956 act was initiated.

COOPERATION OF STATES

The cooperation of the State highway departments, as called for in section 114, was solicited by the Bureau of Public Roads and was received with thorough effectiveness. At the request of the Bureau, the American Association of State Highway Officials established an advisory committee, which met with representatives of the Bureau in July 1957 to consider study procedures and report content. Every State highway department participated individually by supplying the information called for by the study. The Bureau worked directly with the State highway departments on all matters pertaining to the assembly of the requested data for both free and toll facilities.

INTERPRETATIONS

Although the general intent of section 114 is clear, certain interpretations of the language were necessary in the interest of uniformity.

Highway

While the language of section 114 specifically referred only to “highways,” it seemed evident that highway facilities in total were intended. Consequently, the study encompassed bridges and tunnels, both toll and free, as well as highways in the strictest sense. Hereafter, in this study, when “highways” or “roads” are mentioned it should be understood that bridges and tunnels are included.

Portion of highway

The term “portion” as it applies to a highway may involve a small segment of less than 100 feet in length to a complete highway over 100 miles long.

It is common practice to build free roads in stages. For example, the grading and structures may be completed in one year, and the surface added in the next year. Relatively short sections of a route