AUSTIN, Texas — The stretch of Interstate 35 that passes though the Texas capital has been named the most congested roadway in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
What You Need To Know
- Austin’s I-35 claimed the top spot on the truck traffic congestion list, along with its overal No. 1 ranking
- The congestion caused by trucks in Austin also held in the top spot last year.
- The stretch between US 290W/SH 71 to Ben White Boulevard and US 290E has worsened from the previous year’s study to jump Houston’s top spot
- Speeds can drop down below 20 mph during peak delay and drivers often suffer more in the southbound lanes
In a 2009 mandate, the Texas Department of Transportation was required to provide an annual list of the most-troubled roadways in the state, creating The Texas 100 Most Congested Highways list. The list measures congestion by the number of extra hours of travel time or “delay” experienced by drivers.
Analysis by TTI also takes into consideration freight as an element of roadway congestion.
Austin’s I-35 claimed the top spot on the truck traffic congestion list, along with its overall number one ranking. The congestion caused by trucks in Austin also held in the top spot last year.
“Unfortunately, for drivers in central Texas, congestion on I-35 in Austin is now the worst choke point in the state. But relief is on the way since the Texas Transportation Commission recently included the I-35 Capital Express Project in TxDOT’s 10-year plan, that will advance project development and construction,” said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. in a press release.
While the 2020 numbers did not take into account the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and relied more on 2019 data, TTI says TxDot is still working to implement solutions to gridlock issues through the Texas Clear Lanes program.
“The I-35 Capital Express Project, which is a statewide strategic priority, underscores the need for continued investment in transportation so we can keep up with the continued growth that makes Texas one of the top places to live and do business,” Bugg, Jr. added.
The stretch between US 290W/SH 71 to Ben White Boulevard and US 290E has worsened from the previous year’s study to jump Houston’s top spot of the most congested highway, located along I-610 West between I-10/US 90 and IH 69/US 59.
The Houston area accounts for 36 of the top 100 most congested roadways in Texas, while the Austin area accounts for 15. The Dallas-Ft. Worth area accounts for 33 top 100 spots. San Antonio had the least with only 11.
According to the interactive map from TTI, Austin’s top area for congestion can add anywhere from 28 to 83 minutes to travel time. Peak delay around 4:45 p.m. accounts for nearly 50% of its congestion. Speeds can drop down below 20 mph during that time and drivers often suffer more from delays in the southbound lanes.
