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We just might be close to attaining a not-so common Boston event
By roadman on Thu, 05/25/2017 - 3:05pm
It's known to traffic reporters as "The Great Circle of Traffic", and it happens when the loop comprising I-93 from Woburn to Canton and I-95 (128) between Canton and Woburn displays solid red on the traffic maps for its full length.
Judging by the current map - see https://www.boston.com/boston-traffic - it may well happen before today's rush hour is over.
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Comments
Boston drivers suck when water fails from the sky
Lots of red and it's only 3pm on Thursday. The Google Map is nice and red.
Thanks for sharing that
I give the Google map another half-hour before we attain the full circle.
And I agree, most Boston drivers can't cope with even a little rain. Which only impedes those of us who can.
"Us" is same as "them"
That's an awfully arrogant attitude, and it doesn't even make sense.
To "cope with even a little rain" means driving a little slower and maintaining a little more distance from the car in front of you. So when it rains, you either 1) stay off the road 2) drive safely and slow traffic down or 3) drive unsafely to speed traffic up.
Claiming to have the ability drive fast in the rain only means you're making the roads less safe for everybody else.
Where did I say anything about driving FAST in the rain?
But there is something called "reasonable speed for conditions". The problem with rain is that most Boston drivers grossly overreact to it and drive at a speed that is way too slow for the conditions (like doing 35 in a 55 zone just because of a steady drizzle or light rain). That's what gums up the traffic.
Opt out
Don't drive!
Or, if you can, wait until later.
4 day weekend traffic
I've noticed that over the years, the 3 day weekend rush has turned into a 4 day weekend rush, with Thursday afternoon being the worst traffic. Traffic tomorrow probably wont be that bad.
Debateable
Doubtful, but I hope you are right.
No single raindrop thinks it caused the flood.
We're all causing this problem together. When people talk of reducing vehicular traffic they commonly look at it as a means to get themselves, in their cars, from A to B faster. That's ignorant.
There is no realistically feasible way to engineer or construct roads to handle the volume that we have, never mind the consistent annual increases. That's a simple fact. Until this is accepted we will continue to waste (a ton) of money, time, & effort trying while we ignore alternate means. Like better rail and bus rapid transit.
Think the 128 add-a-lane project and consider this while you're going 20mph admiring the completed work and new bridges. I-93 is out of room. Who hasn't sat in that (daily) nightmare traffic? Wouldn't it be nice if transit options were better? I'm probably not alone saying I'd much rather take a train but the options offered are both expensive & offer limited flexibility.
I think we can do better but we need to have Gov. Patrick's "adult conversation" with Gov Baker's adult budget and truly commit.
Or, better yet
Stop this everybody goes to an office every day at the same time nonsense. I make calls all day. I could easily do it from home twice a week, and show up the other three days to keep up appearances.
4 Hours from just outside of Mt. Desert Island
To the Zakim loop.
1.5 hours to the lane drop at Derby.
I'm all for funding the great tunnel under Winthrop to Hull with my tax dollars. I'll even drop my advocacy for a public park for my giraffe and support the dog people and the bike lane advocates if you guys back me on this.
Go see a movie, go to a museum. the Cape will still be there later tonight after traffic.
Well, to be fair...
Only if you manage to avoid the Portland area during rush hour, and drive moderately over the speed limit.
Likewise, only if you decide to drive at the very worst times.
Or in other words - 5.5 hours to drive that 300+ mile trip from Acadia to World's End, ie averaging the actual speed limit.
Thanks Jeff
I never thought about asking those agencies and businesses in those little Maine hamlets that I have to call on to stay open late at night so as to manage your smug ass points. Next time I'll call on your for travel advice. Thanks man.
Back the BB?
Well?
By the time such a tunnel was built, it might not be usable due to flooding.
Even if it were passable, it wouldn't save you much time, either. Look at the Big Dig. Just another place to put a traffic jam. Induced demand is a thing.
Traffic in urban areas is a commodity that nicely obeys
Parkinson's Law. It always manages to expand to fill the available space.
your response makes no sense
First, the language you used indicated a trip north-to-south and non-stop, so I don't see how 'calling on Maine hamlets late at night' has anything to do with it.
Second, it's the Boston-area traffic you were implying a problem with, not the Maine leg, so again - what's your damage?
Third, not so much smug, just rational. Sorry you have a problem with it.
Fwiw, I have a fair amount of experience driving between Rosi and Seawall, and I long ago learned to time my trips to avoid urban island rush hours. It's hardly rocket science.
All aboard!
I'm very grateful to be aboard the Downeaster right now. Free wifi, beer if I want one. Traffic on I-93 looks horrific.
Feeling almost but not quite European - this would be a 1.5 hour trip in France.
We need to come to grips with this how this whole car thing isn't really working all that well for us anymore. Ain't no way to run a metropolis.
Trains are way cool, it's
Trains are way cool, it's really too bad that this country, which has been developed thanks to trains, mostly forgot about them.
I support this plan
But only if we keep the giraffe park. Ours could be friends with each other.
Doubt it's just the rain
Traffic was horrendous Tuesday evening when the weather was lovely. There have been a lot of graduations this week, and today many people are likely leaving early to take a 4-day weekend.
Right now per Google's
Right now per Google's traffic layer, the counterclockwise loop is all red except for Woburn-Burlington and a tiny pocket at the route 24 interchange.
Traffic circle of hell
If you need another reason prices and development are on the upswing. Who wants to sit in two hours of traffic to commute 35 miles?
I'm in the rain camp
Don't know why but rain can really screw up traffic. There's no question, based on my humble opinion, that rain guarantees gridlock downtown, even more than snow. People just flat out lose their mind.
Is this because of Harvard commencement, or the Celtics game?
I can't think of any other big event happening today that would draw lots of traffic.
Probably not
Unless you're drivng down causeway or canal, celtics games cause less traffic disruption than you might think