Federal Aid Road Act of 1916  From Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search  The Federal Aid Road
Act of 1916 (also known as the Bankhead-Shackleford Act), 39
Stat. 355, was enacted on July 11, 1916, and was the first
federal highway funding legislation in the United States.   The
act was introduced by Rep. Dorsey W. Shackleford (D) of
Missouri, then amended by Sen. John H. Bankhead (D) of Alabama
to conform with model legislation written by the American
Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO). 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.  President
Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Aid Road Act at a ceremony
attended by members of AASHO, American Automobile Association,
and various farm organizations.[1]  Wilson was an ardent
advocate of good roads and made them a party platform in 1916:
The happiness, comfort and prosperity of rural life, and the
development of the city, are alike conserved by