Permanent linkWell, it has already started – actually, it started several weeks ago. No, not the nice weather – the complaints about all of the construction! Telegraph, I-94, I-275, construction everywhere. Back-ups and long lines as people try to find a secret route to dodge the latest construction project. I get calls, e-mails, and letters every year about this. Yes, it is annoying and it looks and feels like no one is talking to anyone else because so many parallel routes are under construction at the same time. Well, I tell everyone who calls and writes the same thing – Isn’t it a small thing to put up with for a short period of time? Try thinking of how nice it is going to be to drive on a nice, new road in a few short months. Besides, what is the alternative? Drive on an old, pothole-filled road that may cause damage to your vehicle or worse? Be happy that the road you drive on was chosen to be improved because many more need to be fixed than dollars allow.
Not buying it? Well then relax because next year, things could be much different. The road funding program could be cut by almost $500 million. That should make some of you happy. It will allow you to ride further and faster on bad roads without any worry of running into an orange barrel. Bet I get more calls about that situation than I get complaints about dodging construction.
In the meantime, get up a little earlier, carpool, take the bus, ask your boss if you can work from home on some days, and set realistic schedules in order to help you through the construction. Relax, take your time, and don’t make things worse by speeding through construction zones. Get there safely so that in a few short months you can enjoy the feeling of driving on a nice new surface!
