Convoy update on the road from Chicago, Illinois to Akron, Ohio. Dave Gardy and Steve Jarriel discuss improving local access to the Interstate system, rising gas prices, fuel conservation, fuel alternatives in Iowa, and the convoy’s weekend in Chicago.

Interview with Salina Public Works Director Shawn O’Leary about the decrease in traffic and the economic benefits of giving Salina easier access to Interstate 80.

Steve Jarriel reports from Pennsylvania after a stop in Akron Ohio where the convoy was warmly greeted at Firestone, a major sponsor of the convoy a contributor to modern transportation.

Steve talked with Milton Sees, Director of Illinois Department of Transportation, who said interstate highway traffic impacts cities and population centers when it converges on local systems.

Steve talked about the warm and generous support from people along the route for the efforts of Operation Interdependence, OI, to gather care packages for American troops overseas. OI has also received generous support from AASHTO.

Judy Leyerzapf, Abilene City Commissioner, talks about the expected population growth in Abilene by 30,000 to 40,000 people when the Big Red One relocates from Germany and the local people who have welcomed the opportunity through OI to show support for the military.

Abilene resident Christina Simpson applauds the opportunity to support American troops overseas through OI.

Dave Gardy and Steve Jarriel discuss a Washington Post article about the impact of the interstate highway system on American life. AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley talks about how the interstate system contributed to the migration of US population to the south and west, areas which are expected to grow 88 % in the next 30 years. 

Telephone interview of historian Dan McNichol, author of The Roads that Built America, who talks about how dependent America is on the interstate system, how the interstate system helped the country grow and the need to maintain and improve the roadways. He also mentioned how effective the highway system was in evacuating people from hurricanes and in keeping our economy moving when air traffic was grounded following the 9-11 events.

After completing his cross-country journey, Steve Jarriel reports in the NLC TV studio with Dave Gardy. Gary Ridley of the Convoy Management Team, commends the convoy participants for bringing the highway system to national awareness and recreate the visionary spirit that built the interstate. He adds that the from his experience, Americans are united.

The convoy visited the historic bridge in Emmitsburg, Maryland where Dwight Eisenhower, then a young military officer, first encountered difficulties in a 1919 cross country motor convoy that later motivated Eisenhower, as President, to promote the interstate highway system.

York Pennsylvania, facing similar transportation issues as other cities, is expanding bus transport while they await development of light rail. York Mayor John Brenner comments that with higher gas prices we all need to change our transportation modes, change our way of thinking and make investments to make our communities better.