The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“UNITED STATES NUMBERED HIGHWAY SYSTEM” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2139 on July 31, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
UNITED STATES NUMBERED HIGHWAY SYSTEM
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HON. EARL BLUMENAUER
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 31, 2009
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, the United States Numbered Highway System--from US 1 to US 830--was the first set of nationally recognized highways in the country. During the Great Depression, federal and state governments put people to work improving and extending the nation's roads and highways. The U.S. numbered highways carried the bulk of intercity vehicular traffic and people migrating west. These highways helped our country win the Second World War, allowing great flexibility in ferrying soldiers and materials across the nation, supplementing the nation's fixed rail system.
Communities all across America sprung up around these numbered highways, which came to serve as Main Streets in many of these towns. The system reached its apex in 1956, but with the creation of the Interstate System and subsequent growth of suburban communities, many of these once great highways have decayed. As a result, many of the U.S. numbered highways can be characterized as ``orphan highways,'' receiving little or no federal investment. These highways, however, continue to serve local areas with critical connectivity and economic links, and are often the heart of Main Street America.
To create an assistance program that is tailored to the redevelopment of community Main Streets which are or were part of the United States Numbered Highway System, I have introduced the Orphan Highway Restoration Act. This legislation creates a new program to provide Federal funds to assist states and local governments in their efforts to rehabilitate or repair the Main Street sections of the orphan highways running through their towns. The bill provides a needed boost to state and local transportation departments by committing important new resources to revitalize local economies and communities. It creates redevelopment opportunities that benefit local businesses and labor, improve safety on our roads, and creates jobs.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important legislation and to reinvest in the communities that make America great.
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