local
From Terminus to traffic jam: How Atlanta’s grid got locked
By Mike Shields at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
Metro Atlanta drivers lost 87 hours to traffic in 2025, according to a report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, marking the worst year since the annual study began.The annual study tracks congestion across American cities going back years, but the source of Atlanta’s gridlock goes back...
Key takeaway Channel 2 Action News’s Mike Shields and Channel 2 Investigates traced back decades of growth and city planning to uncover the history behind how Atlanta’s traffic became so bad.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The crippling traffic congestion that Atlanta drivers face today is a direct result of the city's historical development as a railroad town. The twisted grid that formed around the convergence of rail lines in downtown Atlanta has never been fully addressed, leading to the bends and curves that plague commuters. As the city grew and highways were built, the focus was on connecting Atlanta to other cities, rather than improving traffic flow within the city itself. This legacy of prioritizing regional connectivity over local infrastructure has left Atlanta with some of the worst traffic in the country, with drivers losing 87 hours to congestion in 2025. The city's ongoing efforts to address traffic congestion must take into account this historical context and prioritize solutions that address the unique challenges of Atlanta's grid, rather than simply adding more highways or roads.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Metro Atlanta drivers lost 87 hours to traffic in 2025, according to a report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, marking the worst year since the annual study began.The annual study tracks congestion across American cities going back years, but the source of Atlanta’s gridlock goes back...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mike Shields at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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