Adding traffic lanes has…

Adding traffic lanes has been shown not to reduce congestion. Also, the building of highways can destroy ecosystems and harm human communities. The impact is often strongest on low income communities. We have processes in place to protect people and the environment. We should not seek to bypass them.

A more effective way to reduce congestion is to reduce demand for roads. This government has invested in transit. That should be a priority. Public transit removes a lot of single occupancy cars from the road, leaving it free for those who must drive. Public transit also helps those who cannot drive like teenagers, the elderly, people with certain disabilities and the poor.

More structural changes are also necessary. People are commuting too far. This cuts into their leisure time as well as causing congestion. Increasing density near places of employment can help people live nearer their work. Encouraging remote work can also reduce time lost to commuting.

There are so many things to be done to reduce congestion without skipping necessary due diligence on highway construction. Please consider some of these.