Final answer:
The expansion of the road and highway system in Texas in the 1920s was supported by the Federal Highway Act of 1921, which provided federal matching funds to incentivize states to build highways. This federal investment played a significant role in the construction and enhancement of transportation infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1920s, the expansion of the road and highway system in Texas and across the United States was partially facilitated by the introduction of the Federal Highway Act of 1921. This act provided federal matching funds to states for the construction of highways and bridges, effectively encouraging states to invest in their transportation infrastructure. Additionally, during this period, there was the onset of gasoline taxes which provided a steady stream of revenue for states to finance roadway construction efforts.
While a new form of asphalt might have contributed to better quality roads and county government control could have played a role in road maintenance and construction at a local level, it was the federal matching funds that provided a significant boost in road expansion efforts of the time. Similarly, the passage of the Federal Aid Highway Act in 1956 was instrumental in the creation and development of the Interstate Highway System after World War II, further demonstrating the critical role of federal investment in the expansion of the nation's roadways.