Believe it or not, tomorrow is March 1st, the first official day of Civil East construction for Central Corridor.
I've been having some low level anxiety the past couple weeks. Most people are cruising down University Avenue blissfully ignorant to the intensity of the upcoming construction - me, not so much. It's like looking out your office window at a blizzard and dreading the 2-hour commute home. Except my snowstorm is going start this week and last through Thanksgiving.
The good news: I heard today that the all-out craziness (lane shifting, temporary bus stops, one-lane of traffic in each direction) probably won't start til next Monday. I also found out my bus stop will stay open through construction, which just makes life easier.
The bad news: I left my favorite scarf on one bus today, and fell getting off another bus on my way home. Lots of mud on me, but at least I'm in one piece. Hope my bus karma isn't running out just when I need it most.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Night of the Whiny Bus Driver
Let's review the rules for talking on the bus.
It is acceptable to occasionally nod, or make small talk about how the bus is running late, how construction is a hassle, or how the snow has really gnarled the traffic. This is how bus riders bond, and conversation sometimes helps to distract everyone from how long it is actually going to take to get home.
It is not acceptable for the bus driver to complain, unsolicited and into the microphone, about how the bus is running late because of construction. I assure you, Bus Driver, that we are infinitely more annoyed about this situation.
Some of her choice comments included:
"Just wait, you will see why I was so late getting downtown..."
"Traffic's worse on the other side - you guys are sooo lucky!"
"It's going to be like this all summer long - they're putting in that light rail." (Increase tone of disdain/fear when saying light rail, as if it is a rare tropical disease.)
"If you want, we can stop anywhere, since we're just STOPPED, it doesn't really matter" (Extra stops are a BIG no-no on a limited stop bus. You're asking for a mutiny.)
It is acceptable to occasionally nod, or make small talk about how the bus is running late, how construction is a hassle, or how the snow has really gnarled the traffic. This is how bus riders bond, and conversation sometimes helps to distract everyone from how long it is actually going to take to get home.
It is not acceptable for the bus driver to complain, unsolicited and into the microphone, about how the bus is running late because of construction. I assure you, Bus Driver, that we are infinitely more annoyed about this situation.
Some of her choice comments included:
"Just wait, you will see why I was so late getting downtown..."
"Traffic's worse on the other side - you guys are sooo lucky!"
"It's going to be like this all summer long - they're putting in that light rail." (Increase tone of disdain/fear when saying light rail, as if it is a rare tropical disease.)
"If you want, we can stop anywhere, since we're just STOPPED, it doesn't really matter" (Extra stops are a BIG no-no on a limited stop bus. You're asking for a mutiny.)
Gosh, look at all that traffic.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Presidents' Day
After 13.3" of snow (and counting), it looks like the utility crews spent most their Monday trying to find the street again. Hard to imagine that March is usually our snowiest month!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, February 18, 2011
And so it begins
I walked to my bus stop on Wednesday morning only to find that our trusty (rusty) bus shelter had been removed. Kindly, the shelter company, CBS, left us the half melted pile of snow from inside the shelter so we know where to stand.
I guess this means construction is starting.
It's been a long time coming, and I'm starting this blog so that all of you can share in the excitement and sheer madness of building a billion dollar project. Welcome.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I guess this means construction is starting.
It's been a long time coming, and I'm starting this blog so that all of you can share in the excitement and sheer madness of building a billion dollar project. Welcome.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Emerald & University
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)