Who was the first chief of the Bureau of Public Roads?

The first chief of the Bureau of Public Roads was Thomas H. MacDonald. He played a pivotal role in the early development of the U.S. highway system. Appointed in 1919, MacDonald was instrumental in promoting and overseeing road construction and maintenance during a critical time in American transportation history.

Under his leadership, the Bureau of Public Roads implemented many policies that shaped the nation’s highway infrastructure, focusing on improving road safety and accessibility. His work laid the foundational framework for modern highway engineering and created standards that are still relevant in today’s transportation planning.

While other figures mentioned have made significant contributions to transportation and public service, none held the position of chief of the Bureau of Public Roads when it was first established, making MacDonald the correct answer to this question regarding the historical leadership of the bureau.