[shivtim]

^I understand your point, but I would hardly consider peer-reviewed articles published in highly regarded journals such as JAMA to be "not widely supported by facts." Of course there will always be evidence to the contrary, but the vast majority of scholarly articles I've seen point to the idea that building more highway lanes induces more traffic demand. The subsequent connection between traffic and air pollution and health has been firmly established.

And yes, you're right about wealthy people. The lanes would certainly be used by people of all walks of life. They also should reduce congestion in at least the short term. My thought is that $1 billion would be better used subsidizing transit in the area rather than subsidizing more driving and sprawl (with all of the associated negative impacts on health, environment, urban form, etc).