Georgia Plans 23-Lane Freeway

The latest congestion-relief initiative released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, one of the last acts of the outgoing Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, doesn't do much to relieve congestion, says Neil Peirce.

"[A]mazingly, Mineta omitted both freight-railroad improvements and potential passenger-rail improvement in the expansive congestion-relief initiative for America he unveiled last month."

The result, says Peirce, will be even larger freeways that encourage more congestion.

"The danger of his formula is a wave of steamrolled, behind-the-scenes road-building deals that ignore the many opportunities for commuter and city rail expansion that clearly do reduce congestion."

"For Exhibit A of the perils, check what's happening in fast-growing Atlanta. First, there's the sheer immensity of what the Georgia Department of Transportation favors. Top example: a widening of I-75 in fast-growing, suburban Cobb County, as it heads into the city, to include an incredible mile-long section of no less than 23 lanes."