Highways are considered a symbol of the development of a city. As long as it is being developed, more and more highways will appear in it. In Dallas, they have become the cause of numerous disputes. Ecology, social justice and urbanization, as well as many other factors affect the state of the city’s infrastructure. Read more about this on dallas-yes.
The fate of one of the central highways
When highways began to be actively built in the city center after the end of World War II, the joy of local residents was boundless. For them, it was a symbol of growth and prosperity. However, what once brought benefits can now only harm.
The construction of the l-345 highway was completed in 1974. For a long time, millions of people actively used it. In recent years, huge cracks have begun to appear on the beams that hold the roadway.
Patrick Kennedy became interested in this problem when he moved to Dallas in 2002. The man has a degree in landscape architecture and always pays special attention to the condition and quality of the roads. Since he rented an apartment in the Deep Ellum area and commuted to work on Pacific Avenue, he had the opportunity to examine the I-345 highway with special attention. In the opinion of the city resident, this road should be demolished because it does not represent any value for Dallas. However, the city authorities stubbornly ignore Patrick’s numerous statements and continue to invest millions of dollars in its short-term restoration.
Since the opinions of the city residents and the authorities constantly diverge, the further fate of one of the city’s central highways still remains unknown.
Dallas roads are the most congested in Texas
A study conducted in the fall of 2022 by the Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University found that Dallas roads are the most congested in Texas. The city is home to 37 major highways, making it the most congested city in the nation. That puts the Dallas-Fort Worth connection ahead of Austin, San Antonio and even Houston.
To compile the ranking, the Transportation Institute researchers used official data from the Texas Department of Transportation for 2021. They analyzed more than 1,800 highways to calculate the average delay per mile for a driver. They also determined how long it usually takes to travel a congested road.
Dallas highways are particularly congested by residents who commute to work by car or public transit. Most city residents say that it is rather challenging to estimate the time needed to get to their destination, which is why they end up late. This problem was also noted in the aforementioned study. According to the Transportation Institute, wasted time and gasoline led to financial losses of $3.8 billion in 2021.
Although traffic jams are considered a byproduct of rapid economic growth, they continue to be the cause of numerous conflicts on the road. This phenomenon not only causes inconvenience to drivers but also has serious consequences for the ecology of Dallas, its economy and the mental health of its citizens. Constant delays contribute to increased stress levels, air pollution due to long-term engine operation and reduced productivity, as people waste valuable time traveling instead of fulfilling their duties. However, the most desperate thing about this situation seems to be that it will be almost impossible to find alternative solutions in the nearest future.