Beirut faces relentless congestion, affecting its residents daily. More than a million vehicles clog its narrow streets, posing a major challenge to the environment, public health and the economy.
It is 8AM in Beirut, and the city is already gridlocked. More than a million cars navigate the capital’s streets each day—a staggering number for a city of less than 20 square kilometers. Narrow roads, poorly synchronized traffic lights, and the lack of alternative transport solutions fuel daily chaos. This relentless and exasperating congestion is more than just an inconvenience, it poses a serious challenge to the quality of life, public health and economy. As Lebanon undergoes a political transition, tackling traffic issues remains a key priority.
A Complicated Issue
Traffic congestion in Beirut is primarily driven by the excessive use of private vehicles. With no viable public transport alternatives, residents have little choice but to rely on their cars, further jamming the gridlock. Additionally, poor traffic management—characterized by poorly synchronized signals, frequent traffic violations and illegal parking—slows movement and worsens bottlenecks.
Another key factor is the weakness of the public transportation system. The bus network, limited and poorly maintained, is widely considered unreliable and fails to provide a viable alternative for many residents. Peripheral areas, poorly served by public transport, force commuters to rely on their cars to reach the city center, further exacerbating congestion. The absence of a metro or urban rail system makes driving nearly unavoidable, even for short trips.
Moreover, the city’s road infrastructure has not kept pace with rapid population growth. Deteriorating roads and a lack of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists only add to the problem.
Finally, Beirut’s unplanned urban expansion has significantly worsened traffic congestion. New residential and commercial developments have been built without adequate consideration for transportation needs, leaving existing infrastructure unable to cope with the rising number of vehicles.
A Threat to Beirut's Air Quality
Maher Abboud, an air quality expert, tells This is Beirut that “traffic congestion is not just a circulation problem, it harms both our health and the planet.” According to him, “road traffic is the primary source of pollution due to an aging vehicle fleet and high vehicle density.” In fact, these cars emit pollutants such as “fine particles, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO), which degrade air quality and increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases,” he adds.
Abboud further explains that “Beirut, with its narrow streets and high-rise buildings, creates an urban canyon where pollutants are trapped, preventing their diffusion.” This phenomenon is particularly evident during rush hours, when traffic peaks. “Residents are continuously exposed to polluted air, whether they are outside or inside their homes or offices, which affects their quality of life.”
The expert also warns about the rising levels of greenhouse gases. He explains that “heavy traffic emits large quantities of CO₂, as well as gases such as methane and nitrogen oxides, aggravating the greenhouse effect. Beirut is thus becoming a contributor to global climate change. This underscores the urgent need for sustainable transport solutions.”
A Double Trap for Residents
Jean-Paul Khairallah, a member of the International Committee of Medical Students in Lebanon (LeMSIC), emphasizes that “traffic congestion in Beirut has a direct impact on the health of its residents.” In an interview with This is Beirut, he explains that “vehicles emit pollutants such as fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which enter the lungs and cause respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic bronchitis, while also increasing the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.”
In this context, the public health expert underlines the urgency of taking action, stressing that “health hazards related to air pollution are not limited to adults but also affect the development of young people.” He adds, “Such grave impacts on health highlight the need for a comprehensive approach aimed at reducing long-term health risks.”
In addition to the physical effects, the stress caused by traffic has consequences for mental health. “Frustration and nervousness due to traffic jams can lead to disorders such as anxiety or depression. Also, exposure to constant traffic noise disrupts sleep, affecting concentration and increasing irritability,” according to Khairallah.
An economic burden
Interviewed by This is Beirut, economic expert Jassem Ajjaka stresses “the serious economic consequences of traffic jams in the capital”, the cost of which is estimated at “almost 2 billion dollars a year”. In particular, he points to “excess fuel consumption, since vehicles travelling slowly in traffic jams use much more fuel than when they are moving normally”.
The expert also stresses “the loss of time, which directly affects the productivity of workers, particularly those paid by the hour or self-employed.” “This loss of earnings contributes to a reduction in GDP”, comments Ajjaka.
He points to another economic impact: Traffic jams accelerate wear and tear on road infrastructure and vehicles, generating additional costs for their maintenance.
Clearly, the city can no longer afford to ignore the urgent need to reinvent its urban transport. Beirut deserves better than a future blocked by traffic jams.
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