More Freeways Are The Answer To Traffic

Robert Poole of the Reason Foundation argues that public-private partnerships could result in more freeways -- and less traffic.

1 minute read

September 9, 2001, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The anti-freeway consensus argues that we cannot build our way out of congestion. More freeways will simply attract more driving and pretty soon be just as congested as before. Besides, there's no place to put them, and the cost would be unaffordable. Better to channel highway tax receipts into mass-transit projects that will get some of us out of our cars and off the freeways.But we haven't even tried to add capacity. From 1988 to 1998, according to the California Legislative Analyst's office, while the state's population increased by 18%, vehicle miles traveled by car increased by 30% -- and mass-transit use (despite new billions in spending on rail systems) remained basically flat. But while demand for driving exploded, just 1% was added to freeway lane-miles during the past decade. No wonder congestion soared from 197,000 daily hours of delay in 1988 to 418,000 hours in 1998."

Thanks to Reason Public Policy Institute

Saturday, September 8, 2001 in Reason Public Policy Institute

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

SMall backyard cottage ADU in San Diego, California.

San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs

City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.

6 seconds ago - NBC San Diego

Large tower under construction with crane with American and Texas flags in downtown Austin, Texas against sunset sky.

Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing

Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.

1 hour ago - The Texas Tribune

Red brick five-story multifamily housing building in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings

Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.

2 hours ago - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)