Interstate Highway System

"My real admiration for the Interstate System, however, is not what it did for me as a soldier or what it did for our national security, but what it did for our country and our society...It gave birth to new communities. It gave birth to new industries. And it reshaped our country for the better...And it helped create...an industry of master builders," according to General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) at the 2006 ARTBA dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Interstate Highway System.

• Powell Speech Transcript

Construction of the 46,000-mile Interstate Highway System was the largest earth moving project in the history of the world. Nearly 42 billion cubic yards of earth were moved. In comparison, "only" 362 million cubic yards were moved during construction of the Panama Canal.

• Interstate "fast facts"

Building America's Transportation Network

"Are We There Yet? Building America's Transportation Infrastructure Network" is a commemorative book that tells the definitive story of how the U.S. transportation construction industry helped build a strong and dynamic America. It was written by award-winning author John Yow and spotlights the many positive benefits of transportation development.

It explores the many positive aspects that transportation infrastructure has had on the American culture, economy and quality of life. It is the story of America over the past century and its emergence as the most mobile nation in the world. The hardcover book profiles industry innovators and leaders and traces the fascinating evolution of road building machinery. It also examines the immense transportation challenges facing America today. Pick up your copy at www.artbastore.com.