The United States Interstate System and the Higher Court Project

Every mile of highway tells a story. For the Higher Court Project, the United States Interstate System is more than just pavement and signage. It is the thread that connects courthouses, communities, and history across thousands of miles. To understand the journey of this project, it helps to first understand the history and purpose of the interstate system itself.

The United States Interstate Highway System was officially launched in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act. Eisenhower had seen firsthand the value of efficient roads during his time as a young soldier on the 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy and later while observing the German autobahn network during World War II. These experiences convinced him that America needed a national network of high-speed roads for both civilian and military use.

The system grew into the largest public works project in American history.

• It was designed to connect every major city in the United States with consistent roadway standards.

• Over time it expanded into more than 46,000 miles of interstate highway.

• It made long-distance travel safer, faster, and more efficient for both commerce and everyday life.

The design emphasized straight stretches for speed, cloverleaf interchanges for safety, and durability to support military transport in times of need.

The interstate system was built with several key goals in mind.

1. National Defense: Ensuring military equipment and troops could move quickly across the country.

2. Economic Growth: Linking industries and markets through reliable transport routes.

3. Public Safety and Convenience: Reducing travel times and connecting communities more efficiently than ever before.

These highways reshaped America, making cross-country trips possible for families, boosting interstate commerce, and shifting patterns of urban and suburban growth.

For the Higher Court Project, the interstate system has become an essential partner. Every courthouse visit begins with wheels on the highway. Each new county seat requires navigating this national web of roads.

So far, thousands of miles have been logged traveling from one Texas courthouse to the next. Without the interstate system, reaching the far corners of the state efficiently would be nearly impossible. The interstate is not just a road for the project—it is a modern echo of the very infrastructure that makes documenting American history achievable.

The United States Interstate System is one of the most ambitious and successful infrastructure projects in world history. It was built for defense, designed for progress, and has become a defining feature of American life. For the Higher Court Project, it provides the path forward—mile after mile—making it possible to preserve courthouse history for future generations.