vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

11.26.2008

The less-traveled road to grandmother's house

Here's an alternative solution to the problem of our decaying roads and bridges: We could simply stop using them.

Every now and then, the Agency of Transportation's monthly traffic count report ends up in my mailbox and last month's numbers provide further evidence that people are driving less.

With very few exceptions, the numbers are down from last year.

Burlington's Beltline: Down 6.4 percent.

U.S. 2 in Williston: Down 2 percent.

Interstate 89 in Swanton: Down 2.4 percent.

I-89 in Waterbury: Down 4.6 percent.

Vermont 100 in Weston: Down 7 percent.

Interstate 91 in Vernon: Down 5.4, and that's despite all the engineers filing in and out of Vermont Yankee.

Traffic on U.S. 2 in Montpelier is down 6.2 percent because half the cars were swallowed in potholes.

Be careful driving to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. And have a happy one.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 4:51 PM |

Comments:

Actually, if we drive less there will be less transportation revenue from the gas tax and the roads will get worse and worse.

Though there are other advantages to using the roads less.

Happy Thanksgiving Terri.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:00 PM, November 26, 2008

Here's how the Family of the Future will travel to grandmother's house:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gcurwcPs3U

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:47 AM, November 27, 2008

So tell us again why the Circ is needed.

Carpooling with just two per car would make a significant difference in the congestion. Four per car would eliminate it completely. After "rush" hour there is no congestion. I can attest to that personally.

Altering one's time to leave for work also solves many of these problems. It worked when the Winooski bridge was reduced to one lane for a month or so.

What a waste of money to satisfy the self-indulgent who have to get there before they leave.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:19 AM, November 30, 2008

Aren't projects like the circ the type of things (public works) Vermont god Obama wants to perk up the economy? Liberals often confuse me.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:31 AM, November 30, 2008

How about working on current roads and bridges? And why does opposition to the Circ mean that the opinion is that of a liberal? It is common sense to oppose a waste of money.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:49 PM, November 30, 2008