Chicago Traffic Ranked Worst in the Nation

Chicago commuters often complain about traffic, with good reason.

by Wesley Fox

Chicago commuters often complain about traffic, with good reason.  According to a newly released study, Chicago ranks #1 in road congestion in the nation.  

The study calculates the difference between the commute time if there were free-flowing roadways (no traffic) and the actual commute time.  The study found Chicago commuters spent an additional 70 hours on the road in 2009 due to traffic.  The national average was 34 hours.

Road congestion has been gradually increasing in Chicago.  In 2008 is was 64 hours, in 1999 it was 55 hours and in 1982 it was only 18 hours.

This is puzzling considering the population of Cook County has decreased 1.7 percent since 2000.

The time lost in traffic cost each Chicago commuter an estimated $1,738 according to the study.  The economic impact of congested roadways and insufficient public transportation only adds to the economic troubles for Chicago and Illinois as a whole.