Page:Highway Needs of the National Defense.pdf/134

114 (2) The National System of Interstate Highways is that system of highways designated in accordance with the Federal-aid Highway Act of 1944 (Public Law 521, 76th Cong.) limited to 40,000 miles in total extent and so located as to connect by routes, as direct as practicable, the principal metropolitan areas, cities, and industrial centers, to serve the national defense, and to connect at suitable border points with routes of continental importance in the Dominion of Canada and the Republic of Mexico.

(3) “Other highways of strategic importance” are existing highways other than the National System of Interstate Highways which because of their strategic location and points or areas served would potentially become major highway transportation lines of communications in the defense of the United States.

B. Discussion

(1) The National Military Establishment considers a relatively small “connected system of highways interstate in character,” constructed to the highest practical uniform design standards, essential to the national defense. Because of the time required, and cost, such a system must be planned for and constructed during peacetime.

(2) The transportation utilization experience of the military forces during World War II was the basis for recommendations as to routes that should become a part of the National System of Interstate Highways. It is believed that this system will, in large part, provide the principal system of connecting highways to serve the national defense.

(3) However, as weapons and methods of warfare change there will be a significant change in the strategic importance of a relatively small mileage of connecting highways not a part of the National System of Interstate Highways. These other highways should be identified and given equal priority in design and construction within practical economic limits. The total mileage of “other highways of strategic importance” as foreseen at this time will not exceed 2,500 miles. It will be an exception if any of the “other highways of strategic importance” are selected which are not now a part of the Federal-aid system of highways. However, it is believed provision should be made for adding such sections of highways which are not on the Federal-aid system without regard to any mileage limitation.

(4) The general location and extent of these strategic routes are the subject of continued consideration and the Commissioner of Public Roads will be currently advised, within security limitations, as to the location and potential traffic considerations which might be helpful in the improvement of such highways.

(5) There are, of course, economic considerations which should be given to the identification of a connected system of highways which will most effectively serve the national defense within certain projected periods of time. Subject to the development of more complete basic information the Department of National Defense considers the National System of Interstate Highways and certain other routes of high strategic importance to be the principal “connected system of highways interstate in character” essential to the national defense. -

(6) In the improvement of this “connected system of highways interstate in character,” it is considered important that wherever feasible there be incorporated in their design and construction the controlled or limited access principle. This is considered important