The Federal Government
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The federal government financed the road.
The National Road (today's US Route 40) extended as far west as Vandalia, Illinois, by 1852, where construction stopped.
national road
The national road or Cumberland Road was the first major improved road built by the US federal government. It was started in 1811. It began at Cumberland, MD. and ran to Vandalia, ILL, stopping short of its original destination of St.Louis,MO. It was approximately 620 miles long. US 40 now follows mostly the same route.
Cumberland (National) Road