Georgia tops list for worst truck congestion in the U.S.

The Tom Moreland Interchange, otherwise known as Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta, Ga. where I-85 and I-285 intersect and truck congestion reigns supreme, according to a recent report.The Tom Moreland Interchange, otherwise known as Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta, Ga. where I-85 and I-285 intersect and truck congestion reigns supreme, according to a recent report.

The American Transportation Research Institute today released its annual list highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America, seven of which are in Atlanta including the number one worst location for truck congestion in the country, I-285 at I-85 North.

The 2017 Top Truck Bottleneck List assesses the level of truck-oriented congestion at 250 locations on the national highway system. The analysis, based on truck GPS data from 600,000+ heavy duty trucks uses several customized software applications and analysis methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each location. The data is associated with the FHWA-sponsored Freight Performance Measures (FPM) initiative. The locations detailed in this latest ATRI list represent the top 100 congested locations.

“Atlanta is a critical transportation hub for the country and trucks are at the center of that freight movement” said Georgia Motor Trucking Association President Ed Crowell.  “ATRI’s analysis allows us to target state and federal resources to keep trucks, and the economy, moving.”

In addition to Spaghetti Junction (No. 1), the other Georgia bottlenecks on the top 100 list are:

  • No. 9 – I-75 at I-285 North
  • No. 14 – I-20 at I-285 West
  • No. 43 – I-20 at I-285 East
  • No. 62 – I-20 at I-75/I-85
  • No. 66 – I-75 at I-675
  • No. 73 – I-75 at I-85

“Trucks move 70% of the nation’s goods, so knowing where our highway system is most congested can lead to better decisions about what highways and bridges need improvement,” said American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear, “and it is our hope that ATRI’s research will guide states toward improving these pain points in the supply chain so our industry can continue to safely and efficiently moving the nation’s goods.”

For access to the full report, including detailed information on each of the 100 top congested locations, click here.

ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization. It is engaged in critical research relating to freight transportation’s essential role in maintaining a safe, secure and efficient transportation system.