Traffic congestion in the Triangle isn't as bad as most area drivers make it out to be. (Raleigh: taxes, live in)

[mdp_az]

Originally Posted by Charlton Dude

The older parts of the Triangle were not built for the population we have. That's why I like the newer parts, as they were designed for mass migration.

Really??? I strongly suggest you head out to Falls of Neuse Road and Capital Blvd north of 540 during morning or evening rush hour. This is obviously around the "newer parts" of Bedford, Heritage, Wakefield, etc...

[CHTransplant]

I love the logic of this analysis. Somehow, the statement "Traffic isn't as bad as people say" is deemed to be equivalent to the absolute conclusion that "traffic isn't bad" (or doesn't have problems). That's like saying that "It doesn't rain here as much as people say" means the same as "it doesn't rain here."

The question isn't how traffic relates to what people say about it (really, what does that measure), but rather how much traffic are our major thoroughfares designed to carry, and how much are they actually handling. By that standard, there seems ample evidence that the Triangle area has problems of congestion and over-use on some roads. Is it as bad as in other areas of the country? No. But is that the relevant yardstick?

[sneezecake]

Highway 54 between RTP and Cary is one of, if not the worst commuting corridor in the city. I put it on the same level as Capitol and Falls of Neuse in the "VERY poorly planned artery to a now-developed area"

It takes a half hour to go 5 miles. I don't know anyone that makes that commute that likes it.

[NcerfromNY]

capital from burlington mills road to 540 is stupid - there should be an access road an no lights. that single change would alleviate the congestion immediately. (and send it farther down on capital!)

[RaleighJeff]

I've noticed traffic on 540 has gotten considerably lighter over the past few months. I live off Falls of Neuse and leave for work at 8 am every morning taking 540 from FoN to Airport Blvd. It used to be that if I got out of the house just a few minutes after 8 about half my commute would be a parking lot. Now I hardly ever get caught up in traffic except occasionally at the Creedmor and Leesville Rd exits. Leaving at 5 I still hit traffic around the 70 exit sometimes but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be.

[.-.]

Originally Posted by RaleighJeff

I've noticed traffic on 540 has gotten considerably lighter over the past few months. I live off Falls of Neuse and leave for work at 8 am every morning taking 540 from FoN to Airport Blvd. It used to be that if I got out of the house just a few minutes after 8 about half my commute would be a parking lot. Now I hardly ever get caught up in traffic except occasionally at the Creedmor and Leesville Rd exits. Leaving at 5 I still hit traffic around the 70 exit sometimes but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be.

Right. If this turns out to be GDII as I think it might in a couple of years RTP will have the same number of companies as the Global TransPark. I won't be surprised for many of the multi lane roads NC-DOT for cost saving will close down some of the lanes.

[Francois]

Originally Posted by .-.

Right. If this turns out to be GDII...

[douknownam]

Regarding traffic, those of us in the triangle should have nothing to complain about in comparison to other parts of the country... However, it's the lack of heavy traffic in the area leads to MANY unnecessary delays on the roads (e.g. sometimes you need to flow with the traffic and not stick out like a sore thumb--faster or slower). Just my .02

[Francois]

Originally Posted by douknownam

Regarding traffic, those of us in the triangle should have nothing to complain about in comparison to other parts of the country...

Sorry, that's a non sequitur argument. I don't care what traffic is like in other parts; I notice how much it has gotten worse HERE in the past few years. It's like saying "stop complaining about your migraine headache because people somewhere in the world are being beheaded."

The valid comparison is "Triangle now to Triangle previously", not "Triangle now to somewhere else".

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by Francois

I think he meant "Great Depression II" (GDII).