The effort of the Public Roads Administration in this report is to present the necessary highway program as determined in detail by the three major defense agencies. The suggested division of costs is based upon the principle of major use. The access roads, as to the traffic to be served or as to their priority, are in the main requirements of the defense program. The development of the strategic network is very largely required by civil traffic, but the potential defense needs will advance the priority of many projects.
Every effort is being made to utilize funds heretofore made available for the normal Federal-aid highway program and the work-relief program for the defense-road projects. Many of these are under way. The recommendations for additional financing in this report provide for the immediately apparent projects which cannot otherwise be provided or which can only be partially financed.
Many of the access roads consist of groups of projects in vitally important areas, such as the Norfolk area, and will require at best a substantial time period to complete. Early consideration of this report and provision for carrying the recommendations into effect will contribute greatly to the elimination of serious traffic congestion now handicapping the defense operations in these areas.
Respectfully submitted.
Thos. H. Macdonald,
Commissioner of Public Roads.
