The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways was an innovation that changed America. The highway system, the greatest public works project in American history, made travel faster, easier, and safer. However, there were serious negative effects of the highways; they hindered the growth of cities, destroyed neighborhoods, and hurt the environment. Although the Interstate Highway System had some negative impacts on individuals and cities, it was a major innovation in American history. The problems of early twentieth-century roads led to the construction of the Interstate Highway System, which made travel easier and revolutionized the economy. It drove the nation to success but doomed many of the cities to failure. The highways created a modern way of life that is dependent on cars and trucks, leading to unprecedented outcomes for future generations. (Contains 2 figures.)