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NCDOT TO HOLD CELEBRATIONS COMMEMORATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

RALEIGH - The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a series of celebrations during the week of June 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and the integral role it has played in the state's growth and success.

"Over the last 50 years, the interstate system has allowed North Carolina a greater connection to the rest of the nation and the world," said Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett. "It has provided invaluable levels of mobility, safety and efficiency to the citizens and businesses of North Carolina."

Each event will be held at a site along I-40 which, in addition to being North Carolina's longest interstate route, also intersects with each of the state's other interstate routes.

Event dates, location and times are as follows (Click on each listing for photos of the event):

On June 29, 1956, Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act, which officially provided funding for the interstate highway program. It also increased the interstate system's length to 41,000 miles, 714 of which were in North Carolina and designated to become interstates 95, 85, 40 and 26

North Carolina is currently home to about 1,083 miles of interstate highways. North Carolina has the distinction of being home to both the first and last sections of I-40 to be built in the nation. The first section was in Haywood County through the Pigeon River Gorge and the last was between Benson and Warsaw. June 29 also will mark the 16th anniversary of the completion of I-40.