Rush Hour Traffic Rant

[CYdTracked]

Ok, I have a beef today because this was the 2nd time this week I was stuck in rush hour traffic in downtown Des Moines. For some reason Principal Financial had some semi backing into a dock at one of their buildings on 8th street near Locust. Well yesterday traffic was backed up clear from there to the viaduct bridge past Mulberry for the 2nd time this week just past 5pm because they were blocking the road trying to get that rig backed in. And it wasn't like it was one of these 2 minutes and 2 or 3 shots at backing it in, nearly 10 minutes and probably at least 10 backing up pulling up backing up again. The lights were turning green but at least 5 green lights or more before anyone could advance down the street because of that stupid truck. Principal or some tennent in their 801 Grand building is bad about having a morning delivery during rush hour too sometimes that blocks 9th street around 8am ocassionally.

Would love to see the city of Des Moines put a ban on large delivery trucks downtown between 7-9am and 4-6pm as not only is it an inconveinence but not the safest thing either to be blocking 3 lanes of traffic while they try to manuver around in a tight spot and back into a loading dock. The smaller trucks like UPS, FedEx, etc. don't bother me, they usually don't deliver during those times anyways and those that do keep out of the way but the big semis or smaller truck and trailer outfits are a real pain some days when you are trying to get to and from work.

 

[HILLCYD]

I assure you, there is no rush hour traffic in Des Moines.

 

[CYdTracked]

I assure you, there is no rush hour traffic in Des Moines.

Probably not like other big cities I'm sure but for Des Moines traffic it's just rediculous to have a big semi blocking an entire street for nearly 10 minutes in the peak of rush hour.

 

[ajk4st8]

My biggest problem is people drive in the Des Moines/Ankeny area like it is RUSH hour. Slow down people, relax, take 5 more minutes to work. Its not the end of the world.

 

[ISUAlum2002]

The best is when they run a mile long freight train through downtown at 5 mph in the middle of rush hour.

 

[jl112481]

The fact that you know or could see what caused the backup just reiterates that fact that there is no such thing as rush hour in Des Moines. Only delays.

 

[HILLCYD]

The fact that you know or could see what caused the backup just reiterates that fact that there is no such thing as rush hour in Des Moines. Only delays.

EXACTLY.

I have lived and/or worked in some places that really have traffic problems, and they have nothing to do with a truck or a train.

Try going to DC, Chicago, LA, Boston, etc, etc sometime. You will come home and pray for 3 semi's backing into a loading dock.

 

[jjisu]

Agreed....I didnt know that there was Rush Hour in DM -- I think i would take their Rush Hour any day. :wink:

 

[drmwevr08]

This is one reason he does not live in those cities I'm sure. A little consideration on the part of drivers, trucks, etc would make the non-rush hour even better! I have to admit, I loved the reverse commute as opposed to heading downtown. Maybe it's not titanic gridlock, but its still not any fun. I particularly hated the merge from 3 lanes to 2 at 8th St.

 

[CycloneErik]

My biggest problem is people drive in the Des Moines/Ankeny area like it is RUSH hour. Slow down people, relax, take 5 more minutes to work. Its not the end of the world.

Another simple answer here: Work 3rd shift. Nobody's out there in a hurry to get to work:biggrin:

 

[loboclone]

EXACTLY.

I have lived and/or worked in some places that really have traffic problems, and they have nothing to do with a truck or a train.

Try going to DC, Chicago, LA, Boston, etc, etc sometime. You will come home and pray for 3 semi's backing into a loading dock.

I lived in Des Moines 12-13 years ago............the last 3 weeks I have been in LA., San Jose and Phoneix. You have no idea what Rush hour is.

 

[cmoneyr]

I agree, I hate Rush Hour. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are so annoying together.

 

[CYdTracked]

I lived in Des Moines 12-13 years ago............the last 3 weeks I have been in LA., San Jose and Phoneix. You have no idea what Rush hour is.

Again, I know we don't have it even near as bad as the big cities. I've been through Chicago before, its always rush hour there it seems like. But doesn't mean I can't still be irked by something. Semis don't belong downtown during peak traffic hours.

 

[Cyclone711]

Ummmm rush hour traffic in Iowa is nothing. Every day when I drive to school I cross 35W (I'm about 30 min from MPLS/SP) and every day it is backed up as far as I can see. Even then it's probably nothing compared to east coast cities or LA.

 

[tube1]

Does it really matter? The bottom line is that during whatever you want to call it when traffic is at its peak, trucks making deliveries can inconvienence many folks along the way. That's the original rant and I have to agree. Call it rush hour or call it busy time. It doesn't matter. It makes travel time dangerous when vehicles are backed up so far for something that could be easily avoided by a simple ordinance.

 

[JonDMiller]

There's a speed trap on 235 today...and will be more heavily patrolled for the next two months

 

[tube1]

There's a speed trap on 235 today...and will be more heavily patrolled for the next two months

So, how much did the ticket cost you, Jon?

 

[alaskaguy]

I kinda lose the context of this thread considering that there are no stoplights on the "road system" in this area.

 

[cycloneryan]

Downtown does get congested at times. Luckily I live downtown and work in West Des Moines so I am always going the opposite way of the traffic.

 

[meohmycy]

My biggest problem is people drive in the Des Moines/Ankeny area like it is RUSH hour. Slow down people, relax, take 5 more minutes to work. Its not the end of the world.

You are that person going 5 mph below the speed limit in the left lane of the interstate at 7:55 aren't you?