At seventy, the Interstate Highway System continues to provide significant safety and reliability
benefits, but is deteriorating, experiencing increased congestion as vehicle travel grows quickly, and is
aging rapidly yet there is no adequate plan for its long-term health. While it remains the workhorse of
American travel as the U.S. celebrates its 250th year, the Interstate Highway System is suffering from
severe wear and escalating congestion. To meet future demands, the system urgently requires
sweeping modernization, capacity expansion, and foundational reconstruction.

In 2019, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) provided Congress with a report that found
that the nation’s Interstates are heavily congested and aging, with large portions of the system in need
of major rebuilding and comprehensive upgrades. The report found that addressing the needs of the
Interstate Highway System will require more than a doubling of current investment to adequately
improve the system’s condition, reliability and safety, and that the restoration of the nation’s
Interstate Highway System should be based on a strong collaborative effort between federal leadership
and the states.

TRIP’s America’s Interstate Highway System at 70 report provides the latest information on the
Interstate System, including its benefit in saving lives, time and money, pavement conditions, bridge
conditions, travel trends, traffic congestion levels, truck use, and traffic safety. It reviews the findings
of the TRB Interstate report and concludes with recommended actions - based on the findings of the
TRB report - to ensure that the system can meet the nation’s transportation needs.

Infrastructure Assets: Highway Assets
Resource Types: Article
Capabilities: Communication
Management Processes: Strategic Direction