The End Of The World 12.21.2007 | 0 Comment(s)

I must admit, the impending Highway 40 closure and all the hype surrounding said closure is really getting irritating. Everything about St. Louis these days seems to focus on traffic. From television media, with their silly countdowns and promos for the traffic sections of their websites, to irate drivers stating that the end of the world is near, this whole Highway 40 reconstruction has been so blown out of proportion it makes my head spin.

Will closing 40 cause problems? Yes. However, I think people are willing to find alternate routes and sit in traffic a few minutes more to get to a desired destination. If you really want something, you find a way to get it. Life isn't going to stop just because 40 is closed...amazingly you'll still be able to get everywhere you want to with a little more time added to the commute.

I'm over the doom and gloom predictions, I'm over the hyperbole, I'm over hearing how 40 is going to be this awesome highway when it's done considering there's no provision for metrolink or extra lanes, I'm done with hearing people complain how they won't be able to get anywhere.

While I'm not holding my breath, I hope that people in the nether reaches of our region realize that maybe living closer to where they work and play isn't such a bad thing afterall. Maybe long commutes and rising gas prices will make a few people reconsider the unsustainable lifestyle they live? Yeah, probably not.

Somebody wake me when a real disaster takes place.