AEM Salutes 50th Anniversary of Interstate Highway System

July 5, 2006 -- On the 50th anniversary of America's Interstate Highway System, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) salutes all the men and women who helped make possible the building of this vital nationwide transportation network. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act on June 29, 1956, providing the impetus for establishment of the Interstate Highway System. While looking back and honoring the past, AEM and the equipment manufacturing industry it represents are also looking to the future. The association is a major supporter of industry activities that educate the public and elected officials about the need for adequate infrastructure funding.

 

“Equipment manufacturers played a significant role in the building of the Interstate system, providing the equipment and technologies to accomplish this massive public works undertaking,” said Gerry Shaheen, 2006 AEM chairman and group president of Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, Ill. “We are proud to help celebrate this achievement, but we must also look forward to develop a transportation vision for this century, one that is adequately financed to meet future mobility needs just as the vision of superhighways crossing the continent galvanized Americans 50 years ago.”

 

Utilizing the recognition of the Interstate's 50th anniversary, AEM has underwritten a series of research reports developed by The Road Information Program (TRIP), which examine current conditions and future needs of the Interstate system. These state-level reports focus on safety, economic and quality-of-life benefits. Local officials have publicized the results at news conferences in a grass-roots effort to promote infrastructure renewal. AEM is also a member of the Interstate at 50 Coalition, which organized an extensive celebration program.

 

As part of its ongoing commitment to infrastructure investment, AEM is a major annual supporter of TRIP's regular research/promotional activities and supports and participates in industry/business groups such as the Transportation Construction Coalition and Americans for Transportation Mobility (which is under the auspices of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce).