Building new roads and highways doesn’t necessarily reduce traffic congestion, according to a policy brief that appears to have the conceptual support of Cal Trans. The National Center for Sustainable Transportation says adding capacity cuts travel time, lowering the “price” of driving and, therefore, leading to an increase in driving. Cal Trans spokesperson Liza Whitmore says the report is in line with their approach to new projects…

click to listen to Liza Whitmore

But Whitmore says motorists shouldn’t conclude that Cal Trans wants to hold off on building additional road and highway miles…

click to listen to Liza Whitmore

Cal Trans says its goal is to reduce vehicle miles statewide by 15-percent, from 2010 levels, by 2020. But numbers have risen about 3-percent in the last year and have been up every year since 2008, except for one year. Whitmore says Cal Trans also continues to push more for more people to use alternative transportation, including transit, bicycling, and walking.