such costly mistakes in the large investments which must be made now.
State highway departments cannot meet the need for this type of facility. At the current rate of improvement, the interstate network would not reach even a tolerable level of efficiency in half a century. It is clearly necessary in the national interest to accelerate the program.
Under the standards used in developing the program, approximately 7,000 miles of the interstate system when completed to 1974 standards would remain 2-lane highways, but large sections would become 4, and in some cases 6- and 8-lane facilities to meet anticipated traffic volumes.
Additional grade separation structures also will be required at many points on the system to carry intersecting routes over or under the main route, and traffic will be brought onto and taken off the highway at selected points with maximum safety, The capacity of the road will thus be permanently preserved, and, where necessary, adjacent service roads will be built to serve local traffic needs. The preliminary estimated cost of modernizing the presently designated interstate mileage on this basis in 10 years is $23 billion.
In constructing a controlled access system, care must be exercised to insure that traditional free enterprise is promoted and that no monopolistic tendencies develop in the provision of needed facilities to service the highway user with food, lodging, vehicle fuel, and similar needs. This is a problem which requires careful thought and planning not only by Federal and State Governments but also by private industry serving the highways so that equitable plans may be developed taking local requirements into account.
On a considerable portion of the interstate network (especially in urban and suburban areas) it will be more economical to relocate than to acquire the additional land necessary to permit control of access. Realinement of the highway to eliminate sharp curves will be required in some sections and changes in location to reduce mileage between terminal points will be required in others.
TOLL ROADS ON INTERSTATE SYSTEM
Some States have utilized the toll method of financing to provide adequate sections on the interstate system. Therefore, our Committee has given careful consideration to this method of financing. As of December 1, 1954, 7 States have 988 miles of toll roads in operation which parallel or coincide with the interstate system. The estimated construction cost of these toll roads was $1.1 billion. Another 1,200 miles, presently under construction or financed, also coincide with the interstate system. These routes, to cost $1.9 billion upon completion, lie in 9 States, 4 of which have toll roads already in operation.
Agencies have been set up in 17 States and authorized to study and plan nearly 4,000 more miles of toll roads which would coincide with the interstate system. Estimated cost of these authorized toll routes is put at $4.3 billion. However, recent studies disclosed that of the 4,000 miles at least 914 miles, costing $991 million, do not appear economically feasible.
Thirteen States have proposed, but not yet authorized, another 3,500 miles of toll roads which would coincide with the interstate system. Available estimates set the cost of these proposals at $2.6
