Today it has become apparent that our great society is one con-
stantly on the move. The new affluence has provided our people with a
freedom of movement never before known or dreamed of. They are
taking advantage of this mobility to relocate their families, to seek
better employment, better recreational facilities and better access to
shopping facilities. The reason for this constant movement is obvious.
Our highway system has satisfied and must continue to satisfy the
demands of the modern society. It is obvious that Maryland will
continue to grow only as long as it meets, and keeps ahead of these
demands.
There can be no doubt that a direct connection exists between the
modern highway and the growth of the area it serves. True, the
popular concept of the new highway is that it simply provides imme-
diate relief of traffic congestion. But the long-range economic benefits
of a freeway or an expressway are far more important. First, the new
expressway makes the trip safer and less expensive for the user. The
latest figures for traffic fatalities show conclusively that limited access
highways experience far less deaths than other type roads. Furthermore,
expressways provide the motorists with a faster trip—a trip which is
less expensive by about two cents per mile, according to extensive
surveys by highway experts. The other great factor which provides
economic value to the modern highway is accessibility. High-speed
expressways open new areas to development. They provide a climate
for growth where industry and commerce can expand, where more
tourist dollars are spent and, most important, where more jobs are
created.
But where does Maryland stand in its progress toward a complete
highway system? I answer that question proudly. We stand near the
top, with construction programs which annually increase accessibility to
every corner of our State. Since the beginning of this Administration in
1959, over 1, 000 Maryland roads have been constructed or improved.
The value of our roads system is now well over $1 billion. Particularly
impressive is the record with respect to the interstate system in Mary-
land. This mighty nationwide network will, as you are well aware,
encompass some 41, 000 miles of life and time-saving freeways by 1972.
It will connect every major community of our country with Maryland.
It will permit non-stop travel from Canada to Mexico and from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, at a total cost of $40 billion.
There are some figures which one can quote when speaking of the
interstate system which truly stagger the imagination. For example,
the system is 29 times greater in size than the combined construction of
586
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