These were, however, small steps. Not until the Eisenhower administration provided Cleveland with enough funds and labor did the city build an extensive interstate highway system. Created in response to the threats of tough economic times, in 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower sought a public works project that would strengthen America’s defense and economy. In 1956 highways became the answer.[1] The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 offered states such as Ohio the funding to make real headway in highway construction.  

These highways served several purposes. A streamlined interstate highway system eased the evacuation of highly populated cities if the Soviet Union assaulted the United States with nuclear missiles. Interestingly, interstate freeways were built incorrectly to facilitate defense. Tanks and army machinery could never be transported via interstate highways because the roads are either too elevated or the bridges too low. Regardless of this engineering oversight, interstate highways seemed promising. States and cities alike were anxious to begin highway planning to take advantage of the money guaranteed by the federal government. That money would create jobs and fund the development of correlating businesses for years.[2] “Like a stone cast into a pond, each mile of modern, four-lane, limited-access highway would produce ripples that would be felt throughout the economy.”[3]