Analysis of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s annual report shows that TxDOT projects have reduced traffic delays by 7% since 2019, even though the total number of miles traveled statewide has risen 7%.
The TTI measures congestion on over 2,100 road segments, or about 10,000 miles of Texas roads each year. The Texas Legislature directed the TTI to begin conducting the annual study in 2009 due to growing urban road congestion.
The study, which focuses on the state’s top 100 congested roadways, found that upgrades to key roads have saved commuters around $915 million in time and gas. On average, Texas drivers save $125 annually and spend 34.5 hours less in traffic delays throughout the year.
According to TxDOT, about half of the top 100 most congested roads were under construction in 2023, with many projects funded by Texas Clear Lanes. This initiative, started by Gov. Greg Abbott, aims to increase mobility, reduce congestion and enhance safety for drivers in the state’s most populated areas.
"Major transportation investments across Texas, like those in the Texas Clear Lanes initiative and the hundreds of other projects across the state, are easing that burden and helping commuters save time and fuel as traffic levels rebound,” TTI Senior Research Scientist David Schrank said in the release.
These projects, according to TTI’s annual report, illustrate that improving infrastructure and evolving travel patterns are helping to manage congestion as traffic demand grows.
Diving in deeper
Texas’ most congested roadway in 2024 was Houston’s I-610 West—also known as the West Loop Freeway—between the Katy Freeway and the Southwest Freeway.
Four other Houston-area roadways ranked among the top 10 most congested segments. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, portions of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, East RL Thornton Freeway and US 75 also experienced significant congestion. Austin’s I-35 made the list at No. 3, rising one spot from last year’s study.
Quote of note
TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said TTI’s annual report proves that the projects they’re working on are making a difference, and the agency will continue to lean on it when deciding future endeavors.
“We can see that our projects are having a significant impact on our roadways, helping improve efficiency and connectivity across the state,” Williams said in the release. “As our population and economy continue to grow, there’s a considerable need for more projects, and this report helps guide our work to areas that need it most.”
