Federal Aid Highway Act of 1916 (Bankhead-Shackleford Act)
Encyclopedia
Sponsored by Sen. John H. Bankhead
(D) of Alabama
and Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford
(D) of Missouri
, it provided $75 million of Federal money in 50-50 matching funds to the states up to 6% of the roads statewide over a 5 year period. It was overseen by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) and by 1917, every state had a Highway Agency to administer the Federal funds. In 1918, the AASHO became the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) with each state having an established chapter. The act focused on rural areas located near public forests while excluding cities altogether. Consequently, many felt the act was confused in its priorities, and it was criticized for not adequately addressing the need for roadbuilding and paving in urban areas. Most felt that when the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921
was passed, it was a far superior act to the original of 1916.
John H. Bankhead
John Hollis Bankhead was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama.-Biography:He was born on September 13, 1842. He was appointed, then elected, to serve out the remainder of the term left by the death of John Tyler Morgan, and was later re-elected twice. He served in the Senate from June 18, 1907...
(D) of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford
Dorsey W. Shackleford
Dorsey William Shackleford was a United States Representative from Missouri.Born near Sweet Springs, Missouri, Shackleford attended public schools and William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri.He taught school 1877-1879....
(D) of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, it provided $75 million of Federal money in 50-50 matching funds to the states up to 6% of the roads statewide over a 5 year period. It was overseen by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) and by 1917, every state had a Highway Agency to administer the Federal funds. In 1918, the AASHO became the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) with each state having an established chapter. The act focused on rural areas located near public forests while excluding cities altogether. Consequently, many felt the act was confused in its priorities, and it was criticized for not adequately addressing the need for roadbuilding and paving in urban areas. Most felt that when the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921 (Phipps Act)
The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1921, November 9, 1921, ,sponsored by Sen. Lawrence C. Phipps of Colorado, defined the Federal Aid Road program to develop an immense national highway system. The plan was crafted by the head of the National Highway Commission, Thomas MacDonald and was the first...
was passed, it was a far superior act to the original of 1916.