Reps. Sak, Ball, Bennett, Bieda, Brown, Byrum, Casperson, Clack, Condino, Espinoza, Farrah, Gillard, Gleason, Gonzales, Hopgood, Kolb, Kooiman, Kathleen Law, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, McDowell, Pearce, Polidori, Sheltrown, Alma Smith, Spade, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Waters and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 297.

A resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Interstate Highway System.                           

Whereas, We are proud to honor and recognize the Michigan Interstate Highway System on celebrating their 50th anniversary on Thursday, June 29, 2006; and

            Whereas, Fifty years ago, President Eisenhower signed into law the Federal-Aid Highway Act calling for the construction of our nation’s interstate system. The goal was to improve safety, reduce travel times, and improve the nation’s economic productivity; and

Whereas, Serving as the most critical transportation link in the state’s economy, Michigan’s Interstate highways have significantly improved the lives of the state’s residents and visitors. In Michigan, the Interstate allows for high levels of mobility by greatly reducing travel times and providing a significantly higher level of traffic safety than other routes; and

            Whereas, Since 1956, over 1,200 miles of the nation’s interstate were built across Michigan with four major interstates and several interstate business loops; and

            Whereas, The interstate has a significant impact on Michigan’s economy, saving motorists $13.3 billion per year in time and motor fuel alone; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s Interstate system, which makes up two percent of all roadway lane miles in the state, carries 22 percent of all vehicle travel in the state; and

            Whereas, Travel on Michigan’s Interstate highways is approximately three times safer than travel on all other roadways in the state. Michigan’s Interstates provide travelers with a network of highways with a variety of safety designs that greatly reduce the likelihood of serious accidents; and

            Whereas, The Interstate system is the backbone of the Michigan economy and has played a critical role in improving business productivity in the state. Improvements in the highway system have allowed businesses to adopt more efficient logistics practices, which reduce costs for producers and consumers; now, therefore be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body  recognize the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Interstate Highway System on Thursday, June 29, 2006.