[oftenwrong]

Most roads in the US are public, and funded with taxation. Granted, it requires a private car to benefit from them. Still, this suggests that anti-government sentiments can only partially explain this aspect of US transportation.

[082349872349872]

When Huey Long was governor of Louisiana, he wanted to build roads. His opposition did not want to pay for roads. But he managed to wrangle enough budget for 60 miles of road. Then he paved one mile of road in each parish. After having experienced the difference between the single paved mile and their existing mud ruts, the populace voted for a much more substantial road-building program.

(another unusual Louisiana political stunt: https://www.athensnews.com/news/local/louisiana-gov-huey-lon... )