The Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas, is a costly example of the limitations of building more roads to solve traffic congestion. Despite spending nearly $3 billion to widen the freeway to 26 lanes, the drive time increased by 51% within three years, highlighting the rule that you can't build your way out of a traffic jam. This phenomenon, known as induced demand, occurs when widening a road reduces the time cost of driving, leading people to take more trips and increase overall traffic. The case for the Katy Freeway's success, based on increased passenger movement and toll lanes, is unconvincing, as it redefines success after the fact. The project's failure raises questions about the effectiveness of such large-scale infrastructure projects and the need for more sustainable transportation solutions, such as those implemented in Seoul, where removing elevated highways led to reduced vehicle traffic and increased public transportation usage.
