Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Transportation for America hit the proverbial nail on the head with today's post about bigger problems that arise when transportation funding prioritizes "solving" congestion.

For decades, writes Steve Davis,

transportation agencies have been trying to “solve” congestion by increasing road capacity, even when doing so can obliterate or divide communities, harm local businesses, and make streets more dangerous. Our latest cartoon shows how our “cures” for congestion are often worse than the problem.

While every transportation agency (including USDOT in their new road safety strategy) will tell you that safety is always the biggest priority, you can see what the real priority is by following the money. It’s usually the same goal: reducing congestion. Our latest cartoon in our ongoing series shows just how shortsighted and bankrupt our current approach to congestion is:

Illustration produced for T4America by visual artist Jean Wei. IG/@weisanboo
Illustration produced for T4America by visual artist Jean Wei. IG/@weisanboo
Illustration produced for T4America by visual artist Jean Wei. IG/@weisanboo

Read more about how a focus on reducing congestion creates more problems (including decreasing safety) than it solves, here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Friday’s Headlines

Updates on Quick Build in Sacramento, Sunset Dunes in San Francisco, E-Bike vouchers everywhere and more...

April 25, 2025

To Oakland’s Incoming District 2 Councilperson Charlene Wang: Help Stop this Freeway Widening

Oakland and the rest of the Bay Area can't move towards safer streets until they stop moving backwards

April 24, 2025

Strap In: California Will Open Its E-Bike Voucher Portal Again on 4/29

Given the chaotic experience with the first application portal opening, it’s probably a good idea for applicants to be ready with all of the necessary documentation.

April 24, 2025

Breaking: US DOT is Coming For America’s ‘DEI’ Dollars, Threatening ‘Sanctuary’ Cities With Pulled Funds

Advocates are raising the alarm about yet another vague and disturbingly broad letter from Sean Duffy — and the fierce battle that's likely to follow it.

April 24, 2025
See all posts