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Chicago Traffic Congestion Grown to Extreme Levels

Traffic congestion in Chicago has increased making the metro area second only to New York

In Chicago Tribune Report, UTC Director Dr. P.S. Sriraj Shares Insight on Impact of Increased Traffic

A report from analytics firm Inrix ranked Chicago second in terms of traffic congestion on highways and arterial streets; traffic in New York City ranked first.

A June 25 article from Chicago Tribune included commentary from UTC Director Dr. P.S. Sriraj, who noted that more vehicles on the roadways may be "a reflection of the economic strength of the region.” However, he added, congestion may actually have long-term negative effects.

In the article from transportation reporter Sarah Freishtat, Dr. Sriraj also cited concerns about riding public transit, the continued work-from-home practices by many employees, and increased freight traffic due to home delivery as other potential factors behind the often bumper-to-bumper road conditions in Chicago.

As noted in the report,  "there’s no one quick easy fix to the region’s congestion, Sriraj said. It will take input from private employers, public officials and the region’s transit agencies."