Duffy Urges States to Pinpoint Critical Traffic Bottlenecks

DOT Rolls Out “Freedom to Drive” Initiative to Combat Congestion

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a new nationwide effort aimed at tackling one of the most persistent challenges in the transportation sector, traffic congestion. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling on governors and mayors across the country to identify their most severe traffic bottlenecks in order to unlock federal support and accelerate solutions.

According to Duffy, the administration is taking a proactive stance to address congestion, with a clear objective: reduce time wasted in gridlock and improve overall mobility for both commuters and the freight industry.

A National Push to Reduce Gridlock

At the center of this initiative is the newly introduced “Freedom to Drive” program, which encourages closer collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities. The program is designed to streamline efforts and deliver targeted, high-impact infrastructure improvements.

The initiative places strong emphasis on maximizing existing roadway capacity, ensuring that current infrastructure is used as efficiently as possible to handle rising traffic volumes. At the same time, it promotes fast-tracking projects that directly address heavily congested corridors, helping to remove long-standing choke points more quickly.

Another key component involves the integration of advanced American technologies into transportation systems, alongside a greater role for private sector partnerships in developing and modernizing highways. The goal is to create a more adaptive and innovative infrastructure environment capable of responding to future demand.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is playing a leading role in implementing this initiative, working alongside state and local governments to ensure practical, region-specific solutions. FHWA leadership has highlighted the importance of locally driven strategies, noting that transportation challenges differ from region to region and require tailored approaches rather than uniform federal directives.

The Growing Cost of Congestion

The urgency behind this initiative is underscored by the economic and operational impact of traffic delays. Recent data paints a clear picture of the scale of the issue. The average urban commuter lost 63 hours in traffic in 2024, resulting in an estimated cost of $1,480 per driver. Across the country, congestion contributed to a staggering $269 billion in lost productivity and fuel expenses.

Over the past decade, vehicle travel has increased by 10%, while delays have grown at an even faster pace, rising by more than 22%. Looking ahead, the pressure on transportation networks is expected to intensify, with vehicle travel projected to increase by 16% over the next 25 years, while truck freight volumes could surge by nearly 50%.

For the trucking industry, these trends translate into mounting challenges related to delivery reliability, fuel consumption, and overall operational efficiency.

Call to Action for State and Local Leaders

In a formal communication sent to governors and mayors, Duffy requested that each jurisdiction identify two to five of their most critical congestion points. These locations may include local roads, state highways, or nationally significant freight corridors that are currently restricting economic activity and slowing the movement of goods.

Beyond identifying these problem areas, officials are expected to present forward-looking strategies aimed at reducing congestion. These strategies may involve expanding roadway infrastructure to increase capacity, implementing intelligent traffic management systems, and applying data-driven technologies to improve traffic flow.

In some cases, it may also be necessary to reallocate existing roadway capacity to better support vehicle movement and reduce inefficiencies. The DOT has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these efforts by offering technical expertise, funding opportunities, and access to federal resources through FHWA regional offices.

Freight Bottlenecks: A Persistent Industry Challenge

At the same time, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) continues to monitor congestion across key freight corridors. Its latest analysis confirms that the issue is both widespread and deeply impactful, with 28 states reporting at least one location among the top 100 trucking bottlenecks.

States such as Texas, Georgia, California, Tennessee, and Illinois stand out as having some of the highest concentrations of these congestion points. ATRI’s research is based on detailed truck GPS data and advanced traffic modeling, offering valuable insight into how delays affect freight movement in real-world conditions.

The consequences are significant. Congestion delays experienced by truck drivers are equivalent to more than 436,000 drivers sitting idle for an entire year, highlighting the scale of inefficiency within the system. These delays contribute to higher operational costs, increased emissions, supply chain disruptions, and reduced economic productivity.

A Path Forward for the Industry

Despite the magnitude of the challenge, industry experts point to data-driven policymaking and coordinated infrastructure investment as effective ways to improve traffic conditions. The combination of federal initiatives like Freedom to Drive and analytical insights from organizations such as ATRI provides a strong foundation for meaningful change.

Addressing bottlenecks and improving roadway efficiency can lead to more reliable freight movement, lower operating costs for carriers, reduced environmental impact, and stronger economic growth across regions.

The success of this initiative will depend on active engagement from state and local governments, along with continued collaboration with transportation stakeholders. For trucking companies and logistics providers, the potential benefits are substantial.

As congestion continues to challenge supply chains, efforts like the Freedom to Drive initiative represent an important step toward building a more efficient, resilient, and future ready transportation network.