I agree the city needs investment in infrastructure but I think the sticking point is that to reduce the traffic issues, they'd have to redesign major portions of the city that were never built with cars in mind in the first place. We're talking 1950s Era urban renewal, razing large sections of the city...

So, we can say that the city shouldn't allow more density because of traffic issues, but the issue isn't actually that people are living in the city, the issue is that the city is an employment/education center people commute in and out on an everyday basis.

To me, it stands to reason that adding density near the employment centers won't impact the traffic issues the same way that building the same number of units outside the city, for people that will be driving to the city.

This apartment is walking distance to the employers downtown, Union Station, restaurants/entertainment, schools, medical centers (although notably no grocery store).

If the city is going to improve, I think they do need improved public transit, not prevent desperately needed housing.

Lots of cities around the country that are around the size of Worcester are investing in rapid bus transit, I think the city should really look into that option.

https://www.itdp.org/library/standards-and-guides/the-bus-rapid-transit-standard/what-is-brt/