Driving around in Monroeville--a pain in the neck (Pittsburgh, Oakdale: live, shoppers)

[mlh1981]

I've lived in this Community for over a year now, and I still can't get over how long the traffic lights will stay on red for, and how horrible it can be to drive on rt. 22 in general. Simple errands that should take no more than 3-5 minutes to complete will oftentimes take 20 minutes.

Am I the only one who notices this? Monroeville has pretty much everything one needs, but driving around in this community can be difficult.

[Hopes]

You need to learn how to take the bypass and the back roads to get around in Monroeville. You don't drive Route 22 to get from one end to the other. Every major suburban shopping area has that problem. The Ross Park Mall and South Hills Villiage areas have similar congestion and shoppers know to use back roads to hop from one end of the shopping areas to another. For example, I would never drive McKnight Road from one end to the next. I chose my point of entry according to where I'm going. Instead of arriving at the same intersection that is closest to my house, I drive the back roads and enter McKnight Road close to my destination. I also plan my trips---only going to one end of McKnight Road in a trip and save the other end for another trip.

[mlh1981]

Originally Posted by Hopes

You need to learn how to take the bypass and the back roads to get around in Monroeville. You don't drive Route 22 to get from one end to the other.

I'm learning slowly but surely.

[Hopes]

I edited my post while you responded. I added some tips.

[Awesomo.2000]

There is a reason I call it "Moronville"................................ur ban design reasons, not on the people who live there......

[Mugatu]

Sounds just like the South Hills and Route 19.

But what is the deal with the Pittsburgh area and LOOOOOONG traffic lights? Last weekend when they had the Parkway West closed inbound they changed the light in front of the Giant Eagle in Robinson to stay on red for 7 MINUTE INTERVALS. I sat there and timed it. 7 MINUTES. It was freakin' ridiculous. Traffic was backed up all the way past the Oakdale exit on 22, and no one could get of the Giant Eagle and GetGo. Why would any traffic engineer think this was a good idea?

[Johnny C]

Back road travel in Monroeville is a must -I avoid 22 at all costs.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Mugatu

Sounds just like the South Hills and Route 19.

But what is the deal with the Pittsburgh area and LOOOOOONG traffic lights? Last weekend when they had the Parkway West closed inbound they changed the light in front of the Giant Eagle in Robinson to stay on red for 7 MINUTE INTERVALS. I sat there and timed it. 7 MINUTES. It was freakin' ridiculous. Traffic was backed up all the way past the Oakdale exit on 22, and no one could get of the Giant Eagle and GetGo. Why would any traffic engineer think this was a good idea?

Are you sure there wasn't a police officer at the traffice light controls? Anytime a police officer is running the lights (usually during rush hour traffic), there's almost always a super long wait.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Are you sure there wasn't a police officer at the traffice light controls? Anytime a police officer is running the lights (usually during rush hour traffic), there's almost always a super long wait.

Actually, that's exactly what was happening. Everyone was looking at the officer and throwing their arms up like "what the heck?" It was such a mess.

[nannyval]

I have this problem too mlh1981! Monroeville drives me nuts!!! I'm somewhat new to the area and still don't know the backroads all that well and I drive on 22 to get around. It is a pain and the traffic is always bad it seems, no matter what time of day.