April 6, 1960, President Eisenhower realized Interstate highways in cities were a mistake:
- Eisenhower stated that the concept of running Interstate routes through congested parts of cities was “entirely against his original concept and wishes”. Eisenhower Library
- “The President referred to a previous conversation with General Bragdon. He went on to say that the matter of running Interstate routes through the congested parts of the cities was entirely against his original concept and wishes; that he never anticipated that the program would turn out this way. He pointed out that when the Clay Committee Report was rendered, he had studied it carefully, and that he was certainly not aware of any concept of using the program to build up an extensive intra-city route network as part of the program he sponsored. He added that those who had not advised him that such was being done, and those who had steered the program in such a direction, had not followed his wishes.”
- Disappointment with program development: He expressed disappointment that the program had developed “against his wishes” and acknowledged that it had reached a point “where his hands were virtually tied”.
- Intended scope: Eisenhower’s initial vision for the Interstate system was more focused on a transcontinental network for intercity travel and defense, not an extensive intra-city route network.