A new analysis of 30 freight bottlenecks assesses the severity of 30 freight bottlenecks within the U.S. interstate system, using unique analysis methods and data to produce a severity ranking for each location.


This research by the American Transportation Research Institute dovetails with the ongoing Freight Performance Measures initiative sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and managed by ATRI.

The ATRI analysis of 30 national bottlenecks prioritizes chokepoints on the highway system previously identified by the research community. ATRI researchers used GIS/GPS technology and truck-specific information, as well as sophisticated analysis techniques, to determine what time of day freight was affected by traffic congestion and where the results of such congestion were the most severe.

According to the ATRI analysis, using a "total freight congestion value," the biggest bottleneck on the list is the I-80 @ I-94 split in Chicago, which was fifth on the original list. The second worst was the I-95 @ SR-4 intersection in Bergen, N.J. Third was the I-90 @ I-94 Interchange (Edens Interchange), Chicago.

CORRECTION: We originally reported, incorrectly, that the I-710 and I-105 interchange in Los Angeles is the worst trucking bottleneck in the country. That and the other top bottlenecks we previously reported on Truckinginfo.com were the original list of worst freight bottlenecks, NOT ATRI's revised list. We regret the error.

"ATRI's report provides the first real-world analysis of the congestion that motor carriers experience every day," said Tim Lynch, legislative affairs senior vice president for the American Trucking Associations. "ATRI's ranking of freight bottlenecks fills a critical void in our arsenal of tools for identifying, prioritizing and addressing freight system deficiencies for the next surface transportation reauthorization."

A copy of the full report can be ordered from ATRI through its website by clicking here.