Inrix released their 2023 global traffic study earlier this summer, and unforturnately for Chicagoans, their city ranked 5th worst in the world. They are only behind New, Mexico City, London and Paris.
The study analyzed travel patterns in 950 cities worldwide. The group looked at “lost” hours as time spent in traffic “during peak commute periods compared to off-peak conditions.” In particular, the Dan Ryan and Stevenson expressways were among the most congested commutes in the United States last year.
Drivers who took the Dan Ryan from the Jane Byrne to I-57 everday on their commute during peak rush hour, then they lost approximately 66 hours sitting in their car. Drivers who to the the Stevenson from the Dan Ryan to Cicero every day during peak hours, they lost about 64 hours in their cars.
On average drivers lost about 9 more hours in their car in 2023 versus 2022.
Most Chicago drivers have understood or at least learned to live with heavy rush hour traffic for years. I think they also know the culprit for the recent increase in lost traffic time: construction on the Kennedy. Expansion on the Kennedy, which began last year, seems to have affect all traffic connecting to that stretch including the Jane Byrne, Dan Ryan and Stevenson and along with sidestreets. The Kennedy construction is supposed to end in the late fall of 2025.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a Chicago traffic accident or an Illinois truck accident, please the Chicago injury attorneys at The Bryant Law Group, LLC at 312-614-1076 for a free legal consultation.