Editing Road transport (section)

====Interstate Highway System====
{{main|Interstate Highway System}}
[[File:Arizona - North America - Southwest - Interstate Highway System (4893585908).jpg|thumb|Arizona - North America - Southwest - Interstate Highway System (4893585908)]]
[[File:San Diego Trolley over Interstate 8.jpg|thumb|San Diego Trolley over Interstate 8]]
In the United States, beginning in 1956, Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, commonly called the [[Interstate Highway System]] was built. It uses 12 foot (3.65m) lanes, wide [[Central reservation|medians]], a maximum of 4% [[Grade (slope)|grade]], and full access control, though many sections don't meet these standards due to older construction or constraints. This system created a continental-sized network meant to connect every population center of 50,000 people or more.

By 1956, most limited access highways in the eastern United States were toll roads. In that year, the [[Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956]] was passed, funding non-toll roads with 90% federal dollars and 10% state match, giving little incentive for states to expand their turnpike system. Funding rules initially restricted collections of tolls on newly funded roadways, bridges, and tunnels. In some situations, expansion or rebuilding of a toll facility using Interstate Highway Program funding resulted in the removal of existing tolls. This occurred in [[Virginia]] on [[Interstate 64]] at the [[Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel]] when a second parallel roadway to the regional 1958 [[bridge-tunnel]] was completed in 1976.

Since the completion of the initial portion of the Interstate Highway System, regulations were changed, and portions of toll facilities have been added to the system. Some states are again looking at toll financing for new roads and maintenance, to supplement limited federal funding. In some areas, new road projects have been completed with [[public-private partnerships]] funded by tolls, such as the [[Pocahontas Parkway]] (I-895) near [[Richmond, Virginia]].

The newest policy passed by Congress and the Obama administration regarding highways is the [[Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011]].