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Embracing Congestion May Save County Money

Posted by: Nate Berg

9 July 2007 - 9:00am

Facing a transportation funding shortage, a county supervisor in Washington has proposed letting some roadways get more crowded and congested to save the money that would have been spent to improve them -- money the county doesn't have.

"With 184,000 more residents expected in the next 20 years, the county figures it would cost just over $1 billion to keep traffic clipping along at current rates. But taxpayers are $260 million short."

"So under an idea pushed by Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart, the county would allow traffic along key county roads - nobody knows which yet - to move a bit slower each year."

"The county might offer incentives for developments it likes - businesses that tend to pay employees well, perhaps, or homes built along bus routes. Also, fees charged to new developers might rise."

"The new strategy is part of the growth plan that commissioners are taking before the public in a final hearing Thursday."

Full Story: County may let congestion increase
Source: The Columbian, July 4, 2007
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The following list shows the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, where commuting by public transportation has grown the most. None of them are among the nation's top 10 most populous metro areas, and yet seven are within the top 20.
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