Strib alleges that the recession is curing congestion
Commuters surprised to be zipping down Twin Cities highways can partly thank former colleagues who are unexpectedly off the roads, sitting at home jobless.”The difference in the traffic volume is dramatic,” said Peter Berven, of Forest Lake, who commutes to his dental practice in St. Louis Park, a drive that for the past three months or so has been a half-hour shorter.
I’m not sure that makes sense – Minnesota’s unemployment rate has gone from the sub-fives to the mid-sevens, and I’m not sure that a 3% change in people on the road would make that tangible a difference, with emphasis on “I’m not sure”.
On the other hand, maybe we don’t need to drop a billion-plus on the “Central Corridor” – gutting more private-sector jobs and businesses in the process – after all, now, do we?
Westbound 494 in Bloomington has less morning congestion since about early to mid January. Backup starts at Nicolett (if even then) instead of that overpass by the NWA hangers.
People at work have noted the same thing. I haven’t really noticed much change.
Much lighter in the last month or so. Spring breaks started already?