More Roads Won't Ease Traffic

An op-ed in Georgia's Gainesville Times calls Governor Sonny Perdue's roads-only approach to easing traffic congestion a "temporary solution".

1 minute read

February 18, 2006, 7:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"...if we look back at the history of paved roads to improve travel times, it's easy to see that new asphalt always is a temporary solution. The 2005-2035 Georgia Statewide Transportation Plan, released in December, offers 30 more years of temporary solutions.

The governor's Congestion Mitigation Task Force also released its final report to the governor in December. The task force, formed last year by Perdue, was made up of board members of the State Department of Transportation, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the State Road and Tollway Authority.

This group has put relief of traffic congestion as its top priority, with road expansion as its only recommendation. This is supposed to put the available money into the most pressing needs instead of into pork barrel projects. This is a step forward in temporary solutions."

"How much pavement has to be laid and maintained before our elected officials say that a better way must be found to move forward in our social and economic growth?"

Thanks to Tom Christoffel

Thursday, February 9, 2006 in Gainesville Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Boston Red Line train with skyline in background.

Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap

The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.

30 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

View down center of street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan

Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.

1 hour ago - Urban Milwaukee

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA