My commute to work is normally an hour and a half, this by the fact that most people are driving at least 65 mph through the 45 mph construction zone, which is the entirety of my drive through Illinois from the state border all the way to I-90!  Today traffic stopped DEAD southbound on 294 at Grand Ave (132).  I have seen it slow down here before, but it took ONE FULL HOUR to get to the next exit, Milwaukee Avenue (21).  The traffic bimbo on Chicago Public Radio was gushing about how wonderful Columbus Day Traffic was, that there were NO delays anywhere.  I was so steamed I tried to call to correct her, but the office wasn't open yet and I got stuck in voicemail jail.  I finally heard, on her third report (that I caught) that there was a "minor delay" from Grand Avenue to Buckley Road (176).  Since it took me a full hour to get to the first exit, I figured it would take at LEAST another full hour to get to the next exit, where traffic was supposed to clear up. 

I zipped off at 21, headed north to Washington, east on Washington to 41, south on 41 to Half Day Road (22) and west on 22 back to 294 where traffic, indeed, had cleared up.  The refugees from that fiasco behind me were driving like suicidal maniacs, passing me at perhaps 85-90 mph, as if they were going to make up for lost time.  I had called into my boss at the point that I stopped to see if turning around was an option, but he needed to call a meeting, so on I went.

I love my job.  I love my company.  Our product only looks better to our customers in hard times because it makes their operation more efficient.  That said, I HATE my commute.  It is now official.

Grrrr!

Tags: bad traffic, chicago highways, commuting, driving, i-294
Current Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Current Mood: cranky
Current Music: 17th Century Italian Recorder Concerto