Early in Ikes military career, He was placed in charge of getting a military convoy across the country, using the existing roads at that time. It took about three months. When Germany was defeated ln WWII, a d he saw the Autobahn, he said, "We need that". That was the inspiration for the Interstate System.
And the Republican Congress voted NO, they said it would cost too much. Ike had to wait until the Democrats retook control of Congress in 1956 to get his Interstate Highway Act passed. The project took twenty years to finish.
Efforts began with the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 and was a long and winding road, pun intended. As early as 1918, E. J. Mehren, a civil engineer, proposed a plan of multiple north-south routes and multiple east-west routes. There were many logistical, financial and human obstacles over the years and it wasn’t just political conflict, as in the end over one million people were displaced in order to build the roadways. Lots of info at the Federal Highway Administration and others. And yes, Eisenhower was a notable figure along with others to eventually accomplish the feat.
Great video, some fantastic scenery and very informative too! One could only imagine what early settlers would've felt when the crossed the Sierra Nevada over the pass for the first time hundreds of years ago.
In the early days blocks of ice would be cut out of the frozen Donner Lake during the winter and placed in sheds and covered with sawdust insulation. During the summer fruit harvest season the blocks of ice would be loaded into the railroad refrigerator cars. This is how fresh fruit was shipped back east without spoiling.
Early in Ikes military career, He was placed in charge of getting a military convoy across the country, using the existing roads at that time. It took about three months. When Germany was defeated ln WWII, a d he saw the Autobahn, he said, "We need that". That was the inspiration for the Interstate System.
And the Republican Congress voted NO, they said it would cost too much. Ike had to wait until the Democrats retook control of Congress in 1956 to get his Interstate Highway Act passed. The project took twenty years to finish.
Efforts began with the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 and was a long and winding road, pun intended. As early as 1918, E. J. Mehren, a civil engineer, proposed a plan of multiple north-south routes and multiple east-west routes. There were many logistical, financial and human obstacles over the years and it wasn’t just political conflict, as in the end over one million people were displaced in order to build the roadways. Lots of info at the Federal Highway Administration and others. And yes, Eisenhower was a notable figure along with others to eventually accomplish the feat.
Great video, some fantastic scenery and very informative too! One could only imagine what early settlers would've felt when the crossed the Sierra Nevada over the pass for the first time hundreds of years ago.
In the early days blocks of ice would be cut out of the frozen Donner Lake during the winter and placed in sheds and covered with sawdust insulation. During the summer fruit harvest season the blocks of ice would be loaded into the railroad refrigerator cars. This is how fresh fruit was shipped back east without spoiling.
Oxen and mules reportedly were very active in politicking efforts to create the new railway passage.
Looking at this, I'm surprised no road warriors done a road on historical us 40 at donner summit. It's as worth driving thur as I-80 north of it.
I'm glad I could make a video of it! It's a nice drive, though it is subject to winter closure during really snowy years.
Where are you at 7:12? I noticed you were able to bring your car there!
Historic US-40 is also in Verdi, Nevada, The eastern terminus is just a minute from my house! (I live in the golfing community of Sommerset)
Summer here. 10 paces to the right, Winter there! 😂
Yup Still snow even though it’s Mid July
1 hour and 43 minutes