This just sounds like a different way of saying "one more lane bro, trust me". Usually one doesn't "shut down" a road, but divert lanes, perform construction outside of peak hours (e.g. at night) etc.

Finally, some people may even consider the construction too much of a hassle and use the car less. Empirical studies suggest that "removing" a road does not cause productivity loss overall, since having the road in the first place induces a lot of "non-essential" demand.

That arguement is stupid. the world is not only about productivity. If people want to do something just because they enjoy it then they should. If the lack of a way means they do something else that is a loss. The whole point of Cities is all the options, if you want lack of options there are a lot of small towns - and even they have more options than you want to allow.

now it need not be by roads - a great transit system should enable moreeobtions. However the point is all the things you can do if you choose not a train or road to nowhere.