You have to update your memories. In 1970's I have been driving original Autobahns Nazi have been building with slave labor, I have been driving Algerian roads few years after they kicked French occupants and those roads were better than California freeways today. When I drive my F450 dually, on some I-5 underpasses my truck gets airborne just on the potholes.
Few years ago I destroyed 16" rim on Mercedes on Los Angeles freeway.
Caltrans here builds the roads with bumps and holes already at design stage. Here is the picture of new bridge they have been finishing in Benicia several years late and double cost overrun.