 The construction of the East – West Telegraph line in the 1870s , along Eyre 's route , resulted in a hazardous trail that could be followed for interstate travel . A national highway was called for , but the federal government did not see the route as important enough until 1941 , when a war in the Pacific seemed imminent . The highway was constructed between July 1941 and June 1942 , but was trafficable by January 1942 . Though originally named Forrest Highway , after John Forrest , by the war cabinet , it was officially named and gazetted Eyre Highway , a name agreed upon by the states ' nomenclature committees . 
