The National Road — also called the Cumberland Road — was the first “highway” built by the Federal government. Construction started in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1811. By 1818, the road reached Wheeling, West Virginia. The Federal Government gradually transferred responsibility for the road to the states through which it ran. The National Road played an important role in Manifest Destiny, as Americans traveled to the West. It also helped expand the economy. The road is still in use today and is known as US Route 40.