Where We Live: Stuck In Traffic
I-95 is one of the most heavily traveled sections of the busiest road in America
Commuting costs America an estimated $90 billion dollars per year in terms of lost productivity and wasted energy.
That stat comes from the annual Urban Mobility Report. Other research shows that every minute shaved off America's commuting time is worth an estimated $19.5 billion dollars. That translates into nearly $100 billion for every five minutes!
So what does that mean for our pockets here in Connecticut – with one of the worst stretches of interstate in the country?
Interstate 95 is one of the most heavily traveled sections of the busiest road in America. It seems it’s always full of traffic and construction – We hate it, but it is an unavoidable part of our lives.
All along the Eastern Seaboard, Interstate 95 has helped shape the daily lives and vacation dreams of the roughly 100 million people who live beside it. Today, we’ll explore our little section of the highway that stretches from Maine to Florida – in conjunction with the NPR series “The Road Most Traveled”.
Send to friend
Printer-friendly version
Comments
Listener Email from Paul
I studied and worked in Boston in the 60's and early 70's and never needed to have or use a car. Public transit was convenient, cheap, and the best way to get around the metropolitan area.
I moved back to Connecticut in 1975 and commuted from Fairfield County to the Hartford area for a year. On a daily basis I traveled in the opposite direction from the traffic going into New York in the morning and leaving New York at the end of the day. I-95 and the Merritt/Wilbur Cross Parkways were virtual parking lots every day. I kept thinking that something should be done about this. Now, 35 years later, the problem is worse, with traffic backups extending beyond rush hour, and still nothing has been done. I don't have much confidence that our government leaders will find a solution before the highways turn into a 24 hour parking lot.
By the way, I moved within walking distance of my job and never drove to work for the past 34 years. Unfortunately, not many others are willing to do the same.
Listener Email from Deborah
Yes, we do use I-95 as a local artery here on the shore, but that’s because it is the only road (unless you go miles inland) that crosses the bridges.
Here in East Lyme we are virtually imprisoned in our homes during summer weekends (we don’t drive north on Friday afternoons or south on Sunday afternoons), because not only is the interstate completely congested and often at a standstill, but there are no alternative routes if you need to cross one of the rivers. Connecticut’s southeastern shore is shredded with rivers and estuaries, plus the interstate has to work its way around all the curves. Worse yet, with their GPSs, people are hopping off the interstate and congesting our small country roads.
WThey should have built I-95 (and the Amtrak lines) inland if they wanted to have it be a major artery for long distances.
Listener Email from Melissa
My worst I-95 story: driving back early from a business trip to Philadelphia (because my young child developed a serious illness), I was stressed in traffic. After arriving back I developed a nasty, painful stiff neck – so much so that I needed help getting out of bed. My husband had to drive me to the doctor’s office. I could not turn my head and needed heavy doses of pain medication
People DO want to ride trains. I found that out when I began the Pioneer Valley Advocates of Commuter Rail, a group that supports rail passenger service in the CT River region, relieving traffic later on I-95. People were cautious, because the private bus system is so powerful in this region. I have seen how private companies and public transit are successful together. People like Dr. Garrick and Jim Cameron are right on.
I ride the train every time I go to NYC. I ride trains in Boston. It makes sense, and it won’t give you a stiff neck.
Post new comment