this formula should be continued for fiscal years 1957, 1958, and 1959, but that thereafter the apportionments should be made according to the relative “need” of each State to assure completing the entire Interstate System at the same time. Needs would be determined by a series of cost estimates to be submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Commerce and the States at dates set forth in legislation. The first of these estimates was due not later than January 12, 1958, and would be used for apportioning authorizations for fiscal years 1960, 1961, and 1962. The total amount authorized for the Interstate System was $25 billion through fiscal year 1969.
The compromise bill developed by these committees contained other departures from previous highway policy, as well as features from both the 1955 Gore bill and the Administration’s original proposal. The compromise bill, the Federal-Aid Highway Act and the Highway Revenue Act of 1956 was passed overwhelmingly by both the Senate and the House and was signed into law by President Eisenhower on June 29, 1956.
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