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

SB 63, Which Allows for a Bay Area Transit Ballot Measure, Clears Last Hurdle Before Final Vote

More oversight for the funds created was the key to get SB 63 to the Assembly Floor.

September 8, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

Philly's transit crisis wasn't a warning for mess coming to Bay Area, it was a spoiler.

September 8, 2025

SGV Connect Podcast: Reclaimers in Housing

This episode features two reclaimers who took a deal with HACLA rather than face eviction. One is safely housed with her family. The other is still seeking a permanent roof.

September 5, 2025

Call to Action: Tell Governor Newsom (Again) to Support Transit

A crucial $750 million loan for transit funding is in jeopardy with the Dept. of Finance and needs the governor's intervention.

September 5, 2025

The Week in Short Videos

Transit week, transit week, and Cap-and-Trade.

September 5, 2025
See all posts