The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 (also known as the Bankhead–Shackleford Act and Good Roads Act ), Pub. L. 64–156 , 39 Stat. 355 , was enacted on July 11, 1916, and was the first federal highway funding legislation in the United States. The rise of the automobile at the start of the 20th century, especially after the low-price Ford Model T in 1908, created a demand for better roads on a national level. The act provided federal subsidies to road-building efforts.
16-488: The act was introduced by Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford (D) of Missouri, then amended by Sen. John H. Bankhead (D) of Alabama to conform with model legislation written by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO). It provided $ 75 million of federal money in 50–50 matching funds to the states to build up to 6% of their roads statewide over a five-year period. President Woodrow Wilson signed
32-552: A highway agency to administer the federal funds. World War I and its concomitant demands on personnel and materials impeded the implementation of the 1916 act, as did the act's small appropriation and its limit on federal funding to $ 10,000 per mile. These and other problems were addressed in the next national road bill, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921 (Phipps Act). Dorsey W. Shackleford Dorsey William Shackleford (August 27, 1853 – July 15, 1936)
48-660: The United States Secretary of Agriculture . The Federal Aid Road Act, as the first federal highway funding law, was instrumental in extending and improving the country's road system. Prior to its passage (and for several decades afterward), the condition of many roads was deplorable; "They were often little more than trails that were muddy in the rain and dusty the rest of the time. Any long trip by automobile required not only time, patience, and ingenuity, but tire-patching equipment, tools, spare parts, and emergency food and fuel". A growing interest in road improvements
64-495: The 20th century, especially after the low-price Ford Model T in 1908, created a demand for better roads on a national level. The act provided federal subsidies to road-building efforts. The act was introduced by Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford (D) of Missouri, then amended by Sen. John H. Bankhead (D) of Alabama to conform with model legislation written by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO). It provided $ 75 million of federal money in 50–50 matching funds to
80-712: The Committee on Roads (sixty-third to sixty-fifth Congresses) and introduced legislation that would ultimately be enacted as the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 . On April 5, 1917, he voted against declaring war on Germany. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1918 to the Sixty-sixth Congress. He moved to Jefferson City, Missouri , in 1919 and continued the practice of law. He died in Jefferson City, Missouri , July 15, 1936. He
96-494: The Federal Aid Road Act on July 11, 1916 at a ceremony attended by members of AASHO, American Automobile Association , and various farm organizations. Wilson was an ardent advocate of good roads and made them a party platform in 1916: "The happiness, comfort and prosperity of rural life, and the development of the city, are alike conserved by the construction of public highways. We, therefore, favor national aid in
112-450: The construction of post roads and roads for military purposes". Under the act, federal funding was provided for rural post roads on the condition that they be open to the public at no charge. Funding was to be distributed to the states based on a formula incorporating each state's geographic area, population, and existing road network. To obtain the funding, states were required to submit project plans, surveys, specifications and estimates to
128-477: The development of the city, are alike conserved by the construction of public highways. We, therefore, favor national aid in the construction of post roads and roads for military purposes". Under the act, federal funding was provided for rural post roads on the condition that they be open to the public at no charge. Funding was to be distributed to the states based on a formula incorporating each state's geographic area, population, and existing road network. To obtain
144-580: The fourteenth judicial circuit of Missouri from June 1, 1892, until his resignation on September 9, 1899, having been elected to Congress. Shackleford was elected as a Democratic Representative to the Fifty-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Richard P. Bland . He was re-elected to the Fifty-seventh and to the eight succeeding Congresses and served from August 29, 1899, to March 3, 1919. He served as chairman of
160-449: The funding, states were required to submit project plans, surveys, specifications and estimates to the United States Secretary of Agriculture . The Federal Aid Road Act, as the first federal highway funding law, was instrumental in extending and improving the country's road system. Prior to its passage (and for several decades afterward), the condition of many roads was deplorable; "They were often little more than trails that were muddy in
176-475: The personal automobile . The 1907 Supreme Court case Wilson v. Shaw also paved the way for passage of the roads act by holding that the Commerce Clause authorized Congress to construct interstate highways. By 1917, every state had a highway agency to administer the federal funds. World War I and its concomitant demands on personnel and materials impeded the implementation of the 1916 act, as did
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#1732773315867192-471: The rain and dusty the rest of the time. Any long trip by automobile required not only time, patience, and ingenuity, but tire-patching equipment, tools, spare parts, and emergency food and fuel". A growing interest in road improvements was spurred by farmers who needed roads to take their goods to market, the introduction of Rural Free Delivery by the Postal Service , and the burgeoning popularity of
208-412: The states to build up to 6% of their roads statewide over a five-year period. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Aid Road Act on July 11, 1916 at a ceremony attended by members of AASHO, American Automobile Association , and various farm organizations. Wilson was an ardent advocate of good roads and made them a party platform in 1916: "The happiness, comfort and prosperity of rural life, and
224-572: Was a United States Representative from Missouri . Shackleford was born in Sweet Springs, Missouri . He attended public schools and William Jewell College , Liberty, Missouri where he studied law. He taught school from 1877 to 1879. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and commenced practice in Boonville, Missouri . He served as prosecuting attorney of Cooper County, Missouri from 1882 to 1886 and from 1890 to 1892. He served as judge of
240-613: Was interred in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Boonville, Missouri . Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 (also known as the Bankhead–Shackleford Act and Good Roads Act ), Pub. L. 64–156 , 39 Stat. 355 , was enacted on July 11, 1916, and was the first federal highway funding legislation in the United States. The rise of the automobile at the start of
256-411: Was spurred by farmers who needed roads to take their goods to market, the introduction of Rural Free Delivery by the Postal Service , and the burgeoning popularity of the personal automobile . The 1907 Supreme Court case Wilson v. Shaw also paved the way for passage of the roads act by holding that the Commerce Clause authorized Congress to construct interstate highways. By 1917, every state had
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