of highway agencies, particularly if the several States utilize the private engineering organizations capable of providing sound engineering in this field. Simplified procedures and standardization of specifications possible on a long-range program should be encouraged to reduce the engineering requirements.
IMPORTANT TO EXPAND HIGHWAY RESEARCH
An essential part to any large construction program is continuing and adequate research. Therefore, the Committee urges that the present research program be continued and enlarged to insure that the latest thinking of the engineer, the scientist, and the administrator be available to the program, thus insuring economic and efficient accomplishment.
MATERIALS AND CONTRACTORS ARE ADEQUATE
While a construction program of this size would impose an addi- tional and heavy load upon the contracting, road equipment, and highway materials industries, surveys made for this Committee by the American Road Builders’ Association and the Associated General Contractors of America give assurance that the program is feasible. A substantial enlargement of the current construction program in the highway field can be achieved by highway contractors without difficulty. Since several years are required for the construction program to reach its peak level, ample time exists for the training of equipment operators and other necessary skilled workers. These conclusions are also substantiated by an earlier and independent finding of the American Association of State Highway Officials. During World War II, the American contracting industry demonstrated its ability to meet successfully a challenging program of this magnitude.
Information furnished by the Bureau of Mines as to the outlook for increased availability of cement, aggregates, and petroleum products indicates that no critical bottlenecks are foreseen once a construction program of definite size and duration is authorized. Other key materials are expected to be available in ample quantities as determined from studies made by the Bureau of Public Roads.
SOME LEGISLATION NEEDED
A study made for the Committee by the Highway Research Board shows that in many States important revisions of enabling legislation governing the financing and construction of State highways will be needed for efficient execution of the program. This modernization of statutes is essential to success of the program, especially in three areas:
- In the advance acquisition of land necessary for right-of-way;
- In the control of access, which, as was pointed out earlier in this report is fundamental to the development of the interstate system as contemplated;
- In the integration through cooperative working agreements of State, city, and county agencies concerned with street and highway research, planning, and construction.
The expeditious purchase of land needed for right-of-way is particularly important from the standpoint of cost. Inadequate State
