Thomas Harris MacDonald | |
|---|---|
 Thomas Harris MacDonald | |
| Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration | |
| In office April 1, 1919 [1] – March 31, 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Logan Waller Page |
| Succeeded by | Francis Victor du Pont |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 23, 1881 Leadville, Colorado |
| Died | April 7, 1957 (aged 75) College Station, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | U.S. |
| Alma mater | Iowa State University |
Thomas Harris "Chief" MacDonald (July 23, 1881 – April 7, 1957) was an American civil engineer and politician with tremendous influence in building the American Interstate Highway System. He served as chief of the Iowa State Highway Commission, chief of the Bureau of Public Roads from 1919 to 1939, and commissioner of the Bureau of Public Roads from 1939 to March 31, 1953, when he resigned shortly after President Dwight D. Eisenhower's first term began on January 20, 1953.
He directed national road policy for 34 years, serving under seven different U.S. Presidents. During his time, he supervised the creation of 3.5 million miles of highways. Later, he personally directed the creation of the Alaskan Highway, and helped the countries of Central America in building the Inter-American Highway. "[He] was a force as powerful as his counterpart at the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover," insists historian Stephen B. Goddard, "yet was virtually unknown to most Americans."[2]
- ^ "Public Roads - Highway Existence: - 100 Years and Beyond, Autumn 1993 -".
- ^ Goddard, Stephen B. (1996). Getting There: The Epic Struggle Between Road and Rail in the American Century. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. photo insert, p. 5. ISBN 0-226-30043-9. OCLC 34745950 – via Google Books.