Print this page Print this page

Building the Broad Highway

 J.M. Syken

Course Outline

Through the viewing of archival/documentary film/s, we will examine the history of road/highway building in the United States. We will examine the need for more and/or improved roads with the rise to prominence of the automobile/truck in the early 20th Century. Furthermore, we will discuss the need for better road building technology/techniques in relation to improved automobile performance/technology.

As well, we will discuss the post-WWII situation whereby a 50% increase in the number of vehicles on the road by the mid-1950s was realized. Intolerable and/or unsafe traffic conditions made highway construction the major issue of the day. In response, Robert Moses proposed a ten-year project costing $5 Billion per year for highway construction. Ultimately, this would be fulfilled with the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 and the creation of a vast system of highways connecting the contiguous lower forty-eight states.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Intended Audience

This course is intended for architects, engineers, contractors and other design/construction professionals.

Benefit to Attendees

The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the history and technology of highway construction in the United States.

Course Introduction

The course incorporates the viewing of one or more archival/documentary films and is broken down as follows;

Part 1 examines the state of both rural and urban roads in America starting in the late 19th Century and into the late 1930s. Part 2 examines the map-makers art and how modern maps were kept up-to date. Part 3 examines GM’s Futurama exhibit at the 1939/40 New York World’s Fair with its model of highways and cities in the year far-off year 1960. Part 4 examines the many uses of steel in modern highway construction. Part 5 examines in-depth the methods, materials and systems used to create a highway and Part 6 examines the creation of the interstate highway system.

Course Content

Part 1 – In the Beginning;
TITLE: Wheels of Progress (ca.1927) (U.S. Bureau of Public Roads)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Wheelsof1927
DURATION: 14:12
TITLE: Conquering Roads (1937) (Chevrolet)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Conqueri1937
DURATION: 8:48
Part 2 – Knowing Where You’re Going;
TITLE: Caught Mapping  (1940) (JAM)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/CaughtMa1940
DURATION: 8:53
Part 3 – I Have Seen the Future;
TITLE: To New Horizons (1940) (GM/JAM)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/ToNewHor1940
DURATION: 28:08
Part 4 – Steel in Highway Construction;
TITLE: The Open Road (1951) (Bethlehem/Telefilm)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/open_road_1951
DURATION: 31:28
Part 5 – Creating the Modern Highway;
TITLE: Building A Highway  (1948) (Encyclopedia Britannica Films)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Building1948
DURATION: 10:37
TITLE: Builders of the Broad Highway – Part 1 (ca. 1939) (Fitch Films)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/BuildersOfTh
DURATION: 10:35
TITLE: Builders of the Broad Highway – Part 2 (ca. 1939) (Fitch Films)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/BuildersOfTh_2
DURATION: 10:54
Part 6 – The Future is Now;
TITLE: Give Yourself the Green Light (1954) (GM)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/GiveYour1954
DURATION: 22:17
TITLE: Freedom of the American Road – Part 1 (1955) (Ford)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Freedomo1955
DURATION: 10:35
TITLE: Freedom of the American Road – Part 2 (1955) (Ford)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Freedomo1955_2
DURATION: 10:54
TITLE: Highway Hearing – Part 1 (1956) (Dow)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HighwayH1956
DURATION: 14:47
TITLE: Highway Hearing – Part 2 (1956) (Dow)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HighwayH1956_2
DURATION: 14:44

Course Summary

One measure of a nation’s greatness are its roads. Rome achieved greatness because its roads civilized an uncivilized world. Rome’s roads allowed the free movement of goods, people and its legions, effectively connecting a disparate empire. In fact, many Roman roads, aqueducts and bridges are still in use today. The task before the 20th Century road builder was equally daunting; connect a continent with modern highways that would be safe, efficient and state-of-the-art, carrying the commerce and people of America to their destination with maximum efficiency. The World of Tomorrow – on display in General Motor’s Futurama exhibit at the 1939/40 New York World’s Fair, with its modern cities and intricate super-highways would be realized, at least in part, within a generation. We liked that future; after all, the road represented the thing dearest to all Americans: freedom.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway
http://www.us-highways.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-I8GDklsN4
(Film - "Taken for a RIde" - 56:24)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQW6j4Xhrfo
(Film: Road to the Future - 04:59)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m43V7M2rTE
(Film: Caterpillar Diesel Tractor [1937] - 18:51)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42CFGwtk5rk
(Film: Giant of the Earthmovers - 10:25)

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.