The reason is that there is no alternative. You'd be a fool to take the Bay Bridge on a Friday afternoon. BART is there, and any sensible person would take it. In Austin, when traffic is fucked, you're just fucked, especially if you have to cross the river.

> You'd be a fool to take the Bay Bridge on a Friday afternoon.

Yet, so many do, don't they?

:)

As someone who lives in northeast, there's just something very unsettling about highway road design in Austin. (and probably TX too).

Where I live, roads, ramps, exits are more integrated into surroundings.

you moved during COVID times where most people still not on roads. I guess when things become normal, you would see actual issue. Just wait for few more years before you can start complaining the heat, traffic & cost of living. Especially if you want to live in an area with good schools!