Pinthouse Pizza
More Lanes, More Problems
RECEIVED Mon., June 26, 2023
Dear Editor,
As Molly Ivins said decades ago, “The key to happiness in Austin is to never, ever drive on I-35.” This is still true today. A report from TxDOT found I-35 to be the most congested highway in the entire state. And so TxDOT plans to spend $4.9 billion (roughly $165 per Texan) to expand the Downtown portion of it to 20 lanes. At face value, this seems like a good idea. More lanes will mean less traffic, right?
It’s a little more complicated. Let’s think about how traffic congestion works. More and more people hop on I-35 until there’s so much traffic that it becomes faster for many people to take other routes/public transit. It approaches a sort of equilibrium. Suppose that, we only change one part of this system: How many cars can fit on I-35. More people will then choose to take I-35 until, again, it’s so congested that other routes are faster. We haven’t actually fixed anything.
This isn’t just theoretical; it’s played out as close as Houston. In 2008, Texas spent about $3 billion to expand the Katy freeway to 23 lanes. As anyone who drives around there knows, Texas didn’t get its money’s worth. While in the first couple of years, commute times dropped slightly, they soon went back up. Some data even suggests that the change increased commute times.
There’s no reason for Austin to make the same mistake as Houston when we have their example to learn from. Instead, let’s focus on other methods of relieving traffic, such as better public transit and biking options. There are other options for fixing I-35, such as the boulevard option proposed by Rethink35. Austinites should firmly oppose TxDOT’s current plan of expansion. Don’t Houston our Austin.
As Molly Ivins said decades ago, “The key to happiness in Austin is to never, ever drive on I-35.” This is still true today. A report from TxDOT found I-35 to be the most congested highway in the entire state. And so TxDOT plans to spend $4.9 billion (roughly $165 per Texan) to expand the Downtown portion of it to 20 lanes. At face value, this seems like a good idea. More lanes will mean less traffic, right?
It’s a little more complicated. Let’s think about how traffic congestion works. More and more people hop on I-35 until there’s so much traffic that it becomes faster for many people to take other routes/public transit. It approaches a sort of equilibrium. Suppose that, we only change one part of this system: How many cars can fit on I-35. More people will then choose to take I-35 until, again, it’s so congested that other routes are faster. We haven’t actually fixed anything.
This isn’t just theoretical; it’s played out as close as Houston. In 2008, Texas spent about $3 billion to expand the Katy freeway to 23 lanes. As anyone who drives around there knows, Texas didn’t get its money’s worth. While in the first couple of years, commute times dropped slightly, they soon went back up. Some data even suggests that the change increased commute times.
There’s no reason for Austin to make the same mistake as Houston when we have their example to learn from. Instead, let’s focus on other methods of relieving traffic, such as better public transit and biking options. There are other options for fixing I-35, such as the boulevard option proposed by Rethink35. Austinites should firmly oppose TxDOT’s current plan of expansion. Don’t Houston our Austin.
Ian Hollas