Skip to main content

Study identifies Canada’s worst traffic bottlenecks

Canada’s top 20 most congested traffic bottlenecks may cover just 65 kilometres, but they collectively cost drivers over 11.5 million hours and an extra 22 million litres of fuel per year. These are two findings of Grinding to a Halt, Evaluating Canada’s Worst Bottlenecks, released by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Studies show that bottlenecks are the single biggest contributor to road delay, far outpacing traffic accidents, inclement weather and construction. The report provides data-based
January 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Canada’s top 20 most congested traffic bottlenecks may cover just 65 kilometres, but they collectively cost drivers over 11.5 million hours and an extra 22 million litres of fuel per year. These are two findings of Grinding to a Halt, Evaluating Canada’s Worst Bottlenecks, released by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).


Studies show that bottlenecks are the single biggest contributor to road delay, far outpacing traffic accidents, inclement weather and construction. The report provides data-based evidence for decision-makers to use when making decisions on infrastructure investment and environment policy.  It includes the cost to Canadians of these bottlenecks in terms of lost time, productivity and added greenhouse gas emissions.

“Traffic congestion is a major source of stress for Canadians. Our study concludes that traffic bottlenecks affect Canadians in every major urban market, increasing commute times by as much as 50 per cent,” said Jeff Walker, vice-president of Public Affairs for CAA National. “Reducing these bottlenecks will increase the quality of life for millions of Canadians, save millions in fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gases, helping contribute to Canada’s climate change commitments.”

Toronto has ten bottlenecks in the top 20, Montreal five, Vancouver four and Quebec City one. Other cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Halifax also experience serious traffic delays.

Related Content

  • April 9, 2014
    Study highlights regressive effects of road pricing and tolling
    Road pricing can have a detrimental effect on the mobility and employment levels of low income households. Colin Sowman talks to Floridea Di Ciommo to discover why. Since the road pricing and tolling were first introduced it has been acknowledged that such schemes could have a disproportional impact on low income households but a study in Madrid, Spain, has revealed just how regressive such measures can be. The findings revealed that the consequences of a proposed road pricing scheme would be a 17% increas
  • January 10, 2025
    Better response as emergency vehicles take priority
    Applied Information's Glance solution shows timing & safety improvements
  • July 12, 2013
    New report shows benefits of improved urban transport efficiency
    Policies that improve the energy efficiency of urban transport systems could help save as much as US$ 70 trillion in spending on vehicles, fuel and transportation infrastructure between now and 2050, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency. The report, A Tale of Renewed Cities, draws on examples from more than thirty cities across the globe to show how to improve transport efficiency through better urban planning and travel demand management. Extra benefits include lower greenhouse-ga
  • February 4, 2013
    Technology overcomes EV range challenges
    According to new analysis from Frost and Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Global Market for Range Extenders, major challenges currently faced by the electric vehicle (EV) revolve around the inability to provide long range in a single charge as well as the lengthy charging times that can vary from thirty minutes to ten hours. This has limited the number of adopters for EVs. Range extender technology overcomes these challenges, strategically positioned to make strong gains in the EV market. Currently, the mark