Solutions
So, what can we do? Some people have suggested building new roads or expanding existing ones, but we cannot afford to build our way out of congestion. A transportation system that relies heavily on automobiles requires a lot of infrastructure: storage areas (parking lots, garages, etc.), roadways, and support services (gas stations, repair shops, etc.)
This infrastructure is very expensive. Parking lot construction costs range from $5,000 per parking space for a surface lot, $10,000 per space for an above ground structure, and $20,000 per space for a below ground facility (Victoria Transportation Policy Institute).
Road construction is even more expensive. The following chart shows costs in millions of dollars.
Facility Type |
Cost per lane mile |
Arterial Lane Addition |
$1.6M to $3.5M |
Freeway Lane Addition |
$2.5M to $7.5M |
Roadway Realignment |
$1.3M to $6.0M |
Widen Shoulders |
$0.5M to $3.0M |