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What the Beep: How much is sitting in traffic costing Austin?

We're putting a price tag on how much money is wasted while Austinites are stuck on congested roads.

AUSTIN, Texas — Time is money, right? If that’s the case, Austinites' wasted time in traffic is bound to cost a bundle.

Research shows it does.

The engineers at Texas A&M's Transportation Institute keep track of Texas’ most congested roadways and the money that's wasted when traffic moves slowly or not at all.

Using some complex math formulas, they are able to determine the amount of money that's wasted by traffic congestion, including the cost drivers pay for excess fuel, slower deliveries by truckers, highway wear and tear and more.

RELATED: 

Austin makes list of most congested cities in the world

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They found that Interstate 35 between Ben White Boulevard and Highway 290 is now the third most congested road in the state. And they concluded that the annual congestion cost there is $237 million.

Thirteen other Austin-area roads made the top 100 most-congested list too.

Add those together, and our local economy loses around $600 million a year – all because we have places to go, but can't get there fast enough.

WATCH: What the Beep: Where is the new bridge on Old San Antonio Road?

If you have an issue with our roads, let KVUE's Mike Rush know about it. He'll try to get answers to see what, if anything, will be done to make improvements. Sent an email to whatthebeep@kvue.com.

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