Circle Interchange Worst Truck Bottleneck: Report

The Circle Interchange has the highest congestion index in the country, according to a new report

In case Chicago commuters need more proof they travel some of the most congested highways in the country, here's another: the worst bottleneck for truckers is here in the Windy City.

The Circle Interchange, where the Eisenhower, Kennedy and Dan Ryan merge, was named the worst in the United States, according to a study released Wednesday that named the 250 most-congested highway locations.

The Federal Highway Administration clocked the impact of congestion on freight in 2010 and the speed at which trucks need to travel.

It found trucks traveled an average of 29 mph through the Circle Interchange, and between 5 and 6 p.m., that speed dropped to 15 mph.

Other area junctions making the list were I-65/I-80 at No. 6, Kennedy-Edens northbound at No. 8 and Kennedy-Edens southbound at No. 32.

At least Illinois wasn't named worst state for bottlenecks. That honor goes to Texas.

Contact Us