I have two dreams. The first is to ride my Hog down America’s best two-lane highways — the ones featured in the “Road Trip USA” books-series by Jamie Jensen. The second dream is to witness this great nation of ours reclaim its leadership position in the world of heavy, purposeful infrastructure.

As far as the first dream goes, me and three industry professionals “got our kicks” on the famous Route 66 a few months ago. Yes, I took my Hog.

There is nothing quite like Route 66, which ran for about 2,100 miles between Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif., until being decommissioned in 1985. Once a major transportation artery, it has long since been exceeded by the U.S. Interstate System’s I-55, I-44, I-40, I-15, and I-10. In fact, more than half of Route 66 rests directly beneath these five “big roads,” which made finding the old road a challenge for our hog-heavy crew.

As we journeyed west, we imagined what it must have been like crossing the country on the desolate, rural stretches of the famous road. Today, the terrain and roadway geometry limits your speed, forcing you to appreciate the natural beauty of America as it slides to the Pacific. In the evenings, while enjoying cold beers and big burgers, we hashed over the days’ rides and wondered what life today is like in one of the hundred-plus small towns that pepper the shoulders of the iconic road — towns that are decades removed from a bustling Main Street made irrelevant by the Interstate System.

In our discussions, we found ourselves returning always to the positive effects of President Eisenhower’s vision of “wider ribbons across the land,” and the impacts of the Interstate System on this country. How could we move goods and services so efficiently today without it? How could we compete globally? How could we efficiently and safely make a simple cross-country trip? Heck, Route 66 used to be called “Bloody 66.” I doubt we would have ever taken our Harleys down the old road in its heyday, out of want to live to ride another day. We certainly owe Eisenhower’s vision a debt of gratitude, or more to the point, his skill in getting legislation approved. It didn’t just happen, Ike made it happen.

Our trip reinforced the contrasts of the past and present, making the future all the harder to decipher. I believe we need to maintain a semblance of the past for the enjoyment of those wanting to experience the country intimately, however, we must continue to invest in the rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of the Interstate System to improve our nation’s competitiveness in the world and provide a safer and more efficient system for the traveling public.

The road-trippers (Gerry on the left), somewhere in Missouri

This brings me to my final thought — a moment of disappointment in our trip. In Illinois, we traveled a 7-mile stretch of Route 66 that was relegated to a frontage road for farming access, due to reconstruction. When we reached our destination that evening, each of us brought up, almost simultaneously, what we had seen: the repaving of a stretch of roadway that was in pretty good shape on both ends of the construction; better than most roads I have ridden in my home state of California. While riding that 7-mile stretch, we saw only one other motorist traverse the road, in either direction. Yet, thanks to the stimulus package — trumpeted proudly by big signs on both ends of the construction area — $3 million was obligated to this shovel-ready road project.

Certainly there must be better uses for the stimulus funds. Yes, this project created a few jobs, but I am certain it did little to improve our competitiveness by relieving congestion, rehabilitating an aging facility, or helping our businesses to move goods more efficiently. It is up to us as engineers and industry professionals to influence how and where these funds are best applied. Let’s make sure we are doing just that.

And, if you haven’t already, get a Hog and see America!

Gerry Salontai, P.E., leads a management advisory business for firms engaged in the infrastructure and environment. He welcomes your feedback at gerry@salontai.com.