Traffic ‘Armageddon’ Ramps Up Focus on Center’s Congestion Report

traffic-congestion-billboardOur report showing that Twin Cities traffic congestion is no accident but the result of state policy continues to drive media coverage.  Pat Kessler picked up the controversy on WCCO-TV, where I used to watch the cars backed up on 11th street from my desk in the newsroom.

Critics of all the congestion around the Twin Cities say it is not just the multiple road construction projects.

Tens of thousands of drivers sitting in traffic are seeing billboards which read, “Stuck in Traffic? Blame Dayton’s Met Council.”

The colorful signs are hard to miss, and they are the work of a conservative Minnesota Think Tank called Center of the American Experiment.

They blame congestion on the building of a mass transit system instead of more highways.

“Instead of reducing traffic congestion, they want to spend billions on trains and bicycle paths that will never carry more than a tiny fraction of Twin Cities commuters,” said John Hinderaker of the CAE. “That is the policy that must change.”

You can see Pat’s complete story on our findings and the reaction by special interest groups by clicking here.