The First Highway Trust Fund Bailout

September 9 marked the 60th anniversary of a defining moment in U.S. transportation history.

1 minute read

September 11, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Highway Interchange

Tim Roberts Photography / Shutterstock

Jeff Davis and the Eno Center for Transportation commemorated a inauspicious moment in U.S. infrastructure history on September 9: the 60th anniversary of the first bailout of the Highway Trust Fund.

On September 9, 1959, "the White House announced that President Eisenhower was requesting a bailout of the Highway Trust Fund – a $359 million “repayable advance” appropriation from the general fund of the Treasury," explains Davis. "Without it, the Trust Fund would run out of money and be unable to pay its bills in October 1959."

To fully explore the context and consequences of that moment in history, Davis has published a three-part series of essays, titled "The First Time the Highway Trust Fund Went Broke."

Monday, September 9, 2019 in Eno Center for Transportation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing