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11/22/2005: "Traffic"

So they're updating the whole tollway system, gradually adding these "open road" toll collectors which don't require most people to even slow down, and that is supposed to improve travel times on the notoriously congested Chicago-area toll roads. The Irving Park Toll Plaza (southbound I-294) was finished a week or so ago. And there was much rejoicing. It's kind of a joke, though, isn't it. I get off the tollway just before then. Traffic still comes to a complete stop 5 miles or so before that toll plaza. And in the evening, when I'm thankfully going the other way, it backs up even further, just as it always has. You have to wonder, what was the point. Well, the governor's got his name plastered all over it and he's taking credit for it. I'm sure it'll be part of his re-election campaign. He and the tollway authorities brag about what a great thing they're doing for commuters -- even though there's no noticeable difference if you're one of those commuters. And the cronies of the people who run the tollway get their huge contracts to rebuild all the toll plazas. I'm sure they're pleased. I'd suspect they've let some toll collectors go, since there's a lot less tollbooths where you can pay with cash. That sounds good. Except the money saved on them won't do anything but line the pockets, again, of the people who run the tollway and their cronies who can count on continued, no doubt larger, construction projects. Kudos all around.