Were freeways necessary?

 

It's been said that the German Autobahn system, with its four land divided highway and limited access, was the inspiration for the freeways that today criss-cross farmland around the world. The first Autobahn motorway was, opened in the early 1930's. It was the world's first freeway but it was far from the last.

Canada's busiest freeway is 401 passing over Toronto. Its first section opened in 1947. Since then it has grown in length and width with the passing years. My father had been a farmer. He understood the need

for highways but he had reservations about 401. He saw it as a land hog.

The King's Highways, as the older, two lane roadways were called, seemed adequate to my dad for hauling goods over long distances. He believed a well designed rail network would be more efficient than the growing freeway system.

In some ways my dad's fears have come to pass.