Freedom of the American Road (1955)

Synopsis

This new film is designed to act as the starting gun on a new campaign for better roads sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. As introduced in the film by Henry Ford II, the campaign intends to show that, although full credit can be given to governmental traffic experts for their efforts and skill in planning and engineering new improved highways, a most important role in getting better roads is being played by private citizens getting together to demand road improvement. Pittsburgh, hemmed in by the converging Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, was stifling in road congestion that cost the city millions of dollars annually. Ten years ago, it was a nightmare; today, the "Golden Triangle" of Pittsburgh, with adequate and scientifically designed roads and parking facilities, is one of the nation's best examples of the civic advantage of good roads. In Pittsburgh's instance, private citizens, local business and such industrial firms as Gulf Oil and H.J. Heinz took the lead in public demand for improvement. Another example cited is Boston's new "Golden Semi-Circle" -- Route 128 -- which not only provides good access to downtown Boston for the sprawling 2-1/2 million population in the metropolitan area, but has attracted dozens of new industries along the route. The film shows North Carolina's excellent new county roads that have revolutionized the life of rural people with good new central schools, shopping centers and cultural centers. Besides taking a big part in improving good…

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Details

Running time

26 minutes

Collection

Prelinger Archives

Internet Archive item

0214_Freedom_of_the_American_Road_09_00_57_00