The legislation, formally known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, authorized the construction of a vast network of controlled-access roadways across the United States. This act, signed into law in 1956, provided substantial federal funding for this massive infrastructure project, intending to create a modern highway system suitable for both civilian transportation and military mobilization.
Its significance lies in its profound impact on American society and economy. It facilitated long-distance travel and commerce, connecting previously isolated regions and fostering suburban growth. The enhanced transportation network also played a vital role in national defense, allowing for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment across the country. This development altered patterns of urban development, contributing to urban sprawl and automobile dependence.