A seasoned and time-tested partnership arrangement between the United States Bureau of Public Roads and the State highway departments is a prime reason for the success in administering today's highway program. The role of the State is one of initiating and executing programs of projects; the role of the Bureau is one of reviewing and approving.
Far sighted planning has provided the solid underpinning of factual data for practically every major action program involving highways at federal, state, and local levels over the past three decades. Congress has long given its full support to sound planning.
Time honored problems of design, construction, finance, and administration are daily becoming more complex. So-called “human values” such as scenic, recreation, and aesthetic considerations, the dislocation of people, and the ever-present problem of highway safety are receiving increasing attention at the highest administrative and legislative levels. Much work is already underway on the intensive and extensive studies necessary to insure a smooth transition from the program of today to one that will meet the Nation's needs of the 1970's and 1980's.