If there's a road that needs to be updated/replaced, but for some reason cannot be, and if alternate routes to the most popular destinations already exist, I'd think most people would naturally seek them out rather than deal with delays and traffic backups caused by the congestion alone. There really isn't any need to put more hurt on people beyond that.

In a case like that the real solution would be improvements to alternate routes or the construction of new and efficient routes in areas where construction can take place to attract people away from the congested road that can't be improved on. The priority should always be to try to make things easier for people to move where they want to go, not to make it more inconvenient and painful for them when they do it.

I think most people would rather not deal with excessive traffic and crowded roads and wouldn't if given the choice. Many just don't really get much choice in the commuting patterns they have. If your job requires you to be somewhere at a specific time, you're going to go. If you have to pick up your kid at a specific place and time you'll be there. Most of us are already trying to optimize for less traffic and travel time. Those of us with limited options to do that suffer enough as it is.

A couple cities I've been in with lots of HOV lanes seem to be at the limits of what expressway exits and the connecting roads can handle. Building more expressways doesn't help, the exits get backed up. It turns into quite a mess.

I guess I was thinking even longer term. Maybe people will demand/gravitate towards areas that are not so car dependent. It does seem sub-optimal that we made a world for ourselves that expects pretty much each and every adult to own something as expensive and dangerous as a car just to get by.

I don't know that building more roads is the best long term answer.

That's fair, creating better options for people doesn't have to be limited to roads. It can include public transportation and making it possible for people to walk/bike where they need to go. As long as you make things easier on people they'll be happy with whatever.

I was skeptical that public transportation or walking/biking could ever be preferable to driving a car, but I've seen it working in other countries (as long as the trains are running, I prefer them to get around in Tokyo) and even here I've seen it work in very limited spaces (mostly campuses). It can work, but It's harder to make those options attractive in places that weren't designed for/around them. It's something new developments should absolutely consider.

We could also help ease congestion though other means too. Telecommuting, more flexible work schedules, and on-site child care could help a lot, but are hard to put into place since that falls on companies to offer them.