Mon 27 Nov 2006
what the hell is wrong with this place?
Posted by rt under UncategorizedIs this AWESOME? [ \Y/ or N ]
My friend johen said to me earlier that Seattle cannot cope with 2 inches of snow. I thought he was saying that with a bit of exaggeration, the way that people like myself say the same about Vancouver.
Except uh, I should have read that literally. It took me over 1.5 hours to drive from my workplace to my apartment, a ride that normally takes all of 9 minutes. I kept thinking that just up ahead there must have been an accident causing such a delay, but no. No, it seems that if there is snow in the air it does not matter in Seattle. Even if the roads are completely ice-free and give lots of traction even on an incline, traffic can still be 10x worse for absolutely no reason.
GAH!
November 28th, 2006 at 9:43am
Everyone has to remember how to engage 4 wheel drive and doesn’t want to get off the road to do it!
Here in Portland, they sanded the major streets last night. For a fraction of an inch of snow that was gone by 7am. I look forward to having the paint stripped off my car anytime a driver in front of me answers the phone and veers into the gravel a little.
November 28th, 2006 at 11:17am
I have actually been quite impressed with the Vancouver traffic/road situation so far. According to the news, everyone further east is fucked, but out here it’s not too bad. By yesterday morning, the roads were all salted nicely, and while a bit slushy in parts were clear enough. Traffic was calm, and everyone drove around 30~50 km/h. There was a bit of a backup before Knight St. Bridge, but that’s normal, and it didn’t take much longer than usual to get through. Heck, even Richmond managed to have their major streets [mostly] cleared.
This morning I was somewhat worried, as the side streets have now turned to ice with a crustly layer of snow on top. But again, aside from the curb line, the major routes were still clear. No real idiot drivers out there, no accidents on any of the major routes that I drove. In fact, even with the slower pace, it took maybe 5 minutes longer (on ~ 40 minute trip) to drop Julia off downtown, and then head down Granville across the Arthur Laing Bridge into Richmond.
If Vancouver drivers are okay, WTF is wrong with those Seattleites?