I wanted my first entry to be something memorable; I think the worst traffic jam of my life qualifies. Here's the account:
I was at a meeting in Carrboro in the Carr Mill Mall. Since my cousin's office was literally next door, I stopped by to say hello to him afterwards. We discussed the holidays, and he said it had taken 3 1/2 hours for a 39 mile drive in Ohio. I think he jinxed me.
1:30 PM I left the building. The predicted flurries have turned into a dusting. I easily brushed off the snow from the back window of the car and used the wipers for the front. Off I go. The oncoming traffic on Main Street is occasionally slipping and sliding, but I don't notice any ice patches as I turn onto Greensboro St. The snow is blowing around, but traffic is moving well for a couple of miles. Then it becomes stop and go just before Manning Dr.
2:20 PM I reach I-40. I think it might take another hour to get back to Raleigh. Little did I know. It's free flowing for about a mile, but then it slows down. It's bumper to bumper and crawling for miles. I think about exiting, but see that 54 is also bumper to bumper. I stick with my lane, since a study has said there's no advantage to changing lanes.
4:08 PM As I scan through the stations, I discovered that WRAL is simulcasting on the radio. Apparently there are problems on many other roads - Capital Blvd. and Hwy 64 in Knightdale are some that are mentioned.
Why did I leave my cell phone at home today? I could call Dad for traffic updates.
No one is entering I-40 from the Durham Freeway. Very strange.
5:00 PM As I reach the I-540 exit, traffic has really slowed - stopping for several minutes at a time. I decided I needed to keep track of the progress. I wish I had a book. Someone in a car a couple lanes over is working a crossword puzzle.
5:20 PM I've reached the first I-540 bridge.
5:25 PM I've passed under the last of the I-540 bridges.
6:25 PM I've reached the Airport Blvd. exit. That's about 1 mile in the past hour.
6:30 PM I've made it underneath Airport Blvd.
7:30 PM I've been in the car for six hours! I'm somewhere between Airport Blvd. and Aviation Parkway. I'm glad I didn't have anything to drink today!
7:31 PM Just moved a few yards after sitting for quite awhile. All of the Triangle must be headed east on I-40. Unfortunately, the continuous news coverage ended at 6:30 PM, so I haven't really had much of a traffic update.
7:33 PM The road looks dry here except between lanes. Since it's taken 2 1/2 hours to go less than 3 miles, I should be back at the office in about 12 hours.
7:35 PM They finally did a traffic update on the radio.
7:40 PM Just saw a banged up Mercedes facing east in the west bound median.
7:48 PM Good thing handbells were cancelled!
7:55 PM I think I'm hearing over 5 minutes of ads at once. Still no movement.
8:27 PM Moved a few yards. Seven hours and counting! Still not at the airport.
8:38 PM We moved a few more yards.
8:43 PM Finally got to Aviation Blvd. It took 4 hours to go 3 1/2 miles!
8:53 PM We have been moving steadily for ten minutes, although not more than 5 MPH. Will I make it home by midnight?
9:00 PM Another traffic update. Apparently, I-40 is bumper to bumper from 751 to Harrison Ave. The secondary roads are fairly clear. As I make my way up the hill before Harrison, I have to go around a tractor trailer that's blocking 2 lanes, but 3 lanes of traffic are passing it. Then, it's clear!
9:07 PM I pass under Harrison Avenue, but see brake lights ahead. Should I stick with I-40 or take Wade Ave.?
9:11 PM I exit onto Wade. Much less traffic, and it's moving.
9:30 PM I'm back at the office. Wow, eight hours later! It was 31 miles, so I averaged 3.875 MPH. A little faster than walking home. I'm so glad I was driving the car from work - an automatic. Clutching for 8 hours straight would have done me in.
10:00 PM I'm home! What a day!
