Missouri Celebrates 50 th Interstate Anniversary

New Web Site Details History, Gives Fun Facts

JEFFERSON CITY - True or False?   Missouri is home to the nation's first stretch of interstate highway.

True!   Missouri can stake several claims to having the nation's first interstate highway, having awarded contracts for work on U.S. Routes 66 and 40 - now Interstates 44 and 70 - o n Aug. 2, 1956. 

These and other interstate facts and figures can be found on the Missouri Department of Transportation's Web site at www.modot.org/interstate .   The Web site is part of MoDOT's observance of this year's 50 th anniversary of the interstate highway system, created when   President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act on June 26, 1956.

The Web site provides details of Missouri's interstate history, highlighting the impact the interstate system had on commerce, tourism, economic development and the social well-being of Missouri citizens.   Original construction photos and comments from those recalling the early days of Missouri's interstates round out the material available online.

"The interstate highway system has transformed the way we live, work and play," said Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.   "In addition to providing access to the goods and services we use every day, our interstates allow us a tremendous amount of freedom and opportunity.   It's hard to imagine where we'd be without them."

Editor's note:   Recorded comments on this topic are available on MoDOT's sound bite service at www.modot.org/newsroom.