What is the National Road and its significance?

The National Road (also known as Cumberland Road) was an
early Federal highway project originally meant to provide ease of travel between the
Potomac and Mississippi Rivers. Work began in 1811 in Cumberland, Maryland and
eventually the road crossed the Allegheny Mountains to Wheeling, West Virginia, located
on the Ohiio River. Road work stopped short of its goal of reaching St. Louis when
funding was halted. The project, which spanned nearly three decades and more than 600
miles, was ended in Vandalia, Illinois. Additional connecting routes were added,
including the National Pike (connecting Baltimore) and the Washington National Pike
(that linked the nation's capital).