Texas, the second-largest state in the U.S., is renowned for its expansive landscapes, diverse cities, and unfortunately, its congested roadways. This article explores the most congested roads in Texas, shedding light on the areas grappling with heavy traffic and the underlying reasons.
Congestion Status in Texas
The 2022 ranking of Texas‘ most congested roadways indicates an increase in delays, though still below pre-COVID conditions. Annually, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) compiles a list of the 100 most congested road segments in the state. This ranking serves as a key component in TxDOT’s statewide project selection and scoring analysis, aiding in determining a project’s necessity concerning congestion.
Top Congested Roads
In 2021, Houston’s West Loop retained its position as the state’s most gridlocked stretch, as in the previous year. The top five also included the Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas, Interstate Highway 35 in Austin, and Houston’s Eastex and Southwest Freeways.
Austin’s IH-35 experienced the most severe truck freight congestion in 2021, repeating its status from the prior year.
Impact on Metro Areas
The majority of the most congested roads are located in the four largest metro areas of the state: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. In 2020, 52 of the 100 most congested roadways were in these regions, increasing to 86 out of the top 88. In 2019, the count was 68 out of the 100 most congested roadways.
Conclusion
The congestion on Texas roads poses a significant challenge, particularly in the state’s major metro areas. Initiatives like the Texas Clear Lanes Initiative aim to address this problem by identifying, funding, and executing projects targeting the Top 100 congested areas in five major metro areas: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
As Texas continues to grow, tackling roadway congestion remains a critical challenge in its development.
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