Robert E. Lang, co-director of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech, said while the recession is altering how many people work, live and travel, these changes may not be enough to hold back traffic congestion. As the U.S. continues to grow by 3 million people each year, the nation's aging infrastructure won't be able to keep up without broad upgrades -- especially once the economy picks up again.

 

"It's the lull before the coming storm," Lang said.