Local News

I work in the Longwood area and live on the South Shore.  I take the Commuter Rail, the Green Line, and occasionally, the Red Line.  My commute generally takes 90 minutes one way when all goes perfectly. I left work at 2:00, caught the first Green Line train that came by, walked to South Station, was on time for the 2:45 train to Kingston, and was home by 3:30.  I was one of many, many packed sardines, but all in all, it wasn't a bad commute.  As many horrible stories that have been around lately about how badly the "T" and/or the Commuter Rail runs, my experience yesterday was pretty decent.  I live a mile from the train station, and there was basically no traffic getting out of the parking lot. My heart bleeds for all those caught in the horror show that was yesterday's storm.
-Jan

I work in Portsmouth NH, and was on the road from there at about 3 p.m. 95 South wasn't that bad - I made it down to my exit (51) in about an hour which isn't too much longer than normal.  Then I hit Route 62 to head into Beverly.  I have NEVER in my LIFE seen such a mess!  It took me about 2 hours (a little more) to progress the 4 miles I needed to move to get to my house.  I could have made it faster walking - and if you knew me, you'd know how outrageous that statement is! The problem was partly the weather, sure, but I attribute it more to inconsiderate people who, when at a green light, roll into the middle of the intersection even though it's readily apparent that they WON'T be clear of it by the next light cycle.  I sat dead stopped at more green lights because of people on the cross road to me who did that very thing.  I took some abuse from the folks behind me, but when I got to the intersection that looked to be the cause of the problem, I stopped on the line & waited until I was SURE I would get all the way through. My guess is that, for these types of roads, if people had been a little more considerate and patient, things would have been a lot smoother! Keep that in mind next time, follow commuters!
- Scott

I left Longwood Ave at 1PM, headed for Melena Cass Blvd to get to the SE Expressway.  I spent 2 hours trying to get to Mass. Ave, because of the traffic intersecting and BLOCKING the forward progress when we had the "GREEN" light! My 28-mile commute to my south shore home was 4 hours and 45 min. with one stop to clear my wipers.  I have commuted to Boston for the last 28 years and this commute was very much like the "gridlock" of the "Blizzard of '78"!  No excuses for this disaster…. We knew it was coming, and it was still a disaster!
-JJ

I tried to take the bus from Boston Medical Center to Hynes Convention Station, a trip that usually takes 10- 20 min depending on traffic. After sitting on the bus for 45 min and having it move 1/2 a mile I decided to get off the bus and walk... So after walking through the weather I finally arrived at Symphony Station and since I was so cold and wet I decided to try to take the train inbound a few stops and then take the B Line out... Unfortunately, since there were so many people on the roads the trolley's were unable to make it through blocked intersections and so there were many, many people stuck waiting in train stations... cold, wet... with out a warm car and/or radio to pass the time... So I gave up on the green line and took the Orange line to a friends house which I arrived at 4 hours after I left the South End... soaked to the bone and very cold. So for those of you who sat in your cars for 2+ hours... count your blessings at least you were warm and dry.
- Alina

I left work at 3:00 p.m. I work in downtown Boston and live in the MetroWest area.  When I arrived at the Federal Street bus stop to get a bus out of Boston, there were already at least 50 + people waiting for buses.  They must have been let out between 2-3 p.m.   I thought it was my lucky day, my bus came along within minutes - the first one in a long while from what I could understand, and 30 or more people tried to get on the bus - it was a complete mess - on top of one another.  I had to wait until the next one came along - little did I know it was going to be a long wait! What I couldn't understand was why the MBTA didn't have buses in downtown area, in preparation for this mess.  I had to wait until after 5 p.m. to get a bus out of Boston for Newton.  It took us an hour just to get to the Mass Pike and then when we get to Newton, Washington Street from Newtonville to West Newton is a sea of cars, due to an accident.  I arrived home at 7:15 and suffice to say, I had a foot of snow waiting for me.   If we ever have an actual emergency in Boston, not just a snow storm, the T needs to work on preparation of getting buses to the masses, not having them coming into Boston.  Governor Patrick, think about this, please!

 - Ann L.

I work in Burlington and live 8 miles away in North Billerica. I left work at 3:50 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. I was barely a mile away on Rte 3A near the Burlington Marriott.  I then decided to just go back to work and wait it out. I then re-left at 7:45 p.m. and Rte 3A was still not moving so I changed course. I ended up going to Mall Rd and then to the Middlesex Turnpike. I finally arrived home at 8:30 p.m..  Thanks to the nice Billerica DPW guys who did an awesome job plowing.
-Jeannine P.

As soon as we received the message from the Governor's office, I was on my way to South Station around 11:35 a.m.  I made it to the 11:55 a.m. Commuter Train to Middleboro/Lakeville.  Surprising enough, the Middleboro/Lakeville train made it to Middleboro on time.  Then my waiting began, it took my husband well over two hours to pick me up at the station.  We live in Taunton, and normally it takes around 15 to 20 to drive to the Middleboro/Lakeville Station.  His spent an hour and fifty five minutes to make it to 495 from Rt. 44.  Much to his surprise it was an easy drive on 495.  However, it was the most uncomfortable two and a half hours of my life, standing on the train platform without any protection from the wind, snow and cold while suffering from a fracture bone on my foot. However, after listening and reading to the other commuter stories, I have come to the realization that my commute was not as bad.
- Maria

I left work in Brighton at approx. 1:20 p.m. to drive 15 miles to Norwood via VFW/Route 1. The extremely heavy snow made visibility difficult and cars were all either fishtailing or at a complete standstill. People actually got out of their cars in the middle of the road to clear off windshield wipers and windows so they could see! It's not like they were really going anywhere... And just as a side question: where were all the snowplows and sanders? In the end, a trip that normally takes 45 minutes- one hour ended up taking nearly four hours, as I did not arrive home until 5:15pm.
-Jackie

I live in Deerfield New Hampshire and go to school in Manchester New Hampshire.  After getting out of class @ 12:15, the snow hadn't started to fall yet so I decided to make a few stops.  While shopping @ the mall of New Hampshire for about an hour and a half, the snowing began and I finally left to begin my journey home.  A ride that usually takes 30 minutes took me an unbelievable 30 minutes!  Thanks NH DPW for being on top of things up here!  Sorry Boston, we still love you up here!  Surely hope things are better the next time around for ya.
-Devoy

I am NOT a snow plower so I am not defending them, however, you can not blame them for yesterday's misery. I've lived in Massachusetts for 60 years, this is December in New England people, and you must be prepared for it. The plows can not operate in traffic. The plows can not operate with stalled cars on the roads. Everyone rushed out the door at 1 p.m. creating a traffic jam in which the plows could not operate. Some were already low on gas and ran out, now that's BRILLIANT! Others just abandoned their vehicles, another BRILLIANT move! Blame the snow plow operators, surely it's NOT your fault!
- Alan

I left Quincy Center Plaza at 2:30 and had to drive to Taunton. One hour to go around the block and get onto the Burgin Parkway. 3 1/2 hours on the Burgin Parkway with multiple abandoned or stalled cars that clogged traffic. 1 hour on the ramp to I-93/Route 3 due to more abandoned/stalled cars. 1 hour on 24 South due to slow speeds and maniac SUV drivers who think their 4-wheel drive vehicles can stop on a dime. Total time to go 30 miles: 7 hours.
-Matt

I went from Lowell to Kingston, NH and it took me over 4 hours but the worst part of all was trying to see, my wiper blades were the worst part of the whole problem. Snow was coming down so fast they kept getting iced over from the windshield wiper fluid and it made trying to navigate almost impossible and dangerous. I just missed getting hit by a huge orange plow with a blade 10 feet wide. I witnessed so many people on 98, 213 and 495 out of their vehicles and trying to clear off their wipers. Plows just couldn't do their jobs with so much traffic and at a standstill or just barely moving. This was a big lesson in how to maneuver and deal with snow in the northeast.
-Jeff Bilby

I will not reiterate again, what I'm sure you've heard umpteen times already. I left work in Medford at 1:30, picked up my two girls, ages 4 and 5 from daycare and finally reached my Roslindale home at a little after 9 p.m. After a truly horrific 8 hours in traffic and witness to many fights amongst the commuters, I would like to make mention of the good nature of mankind throughout all of the chaos. I would like to thank all of the wonderful and giving people who had the heart to help push many scared motorists who had the bad luck of getting stuck in the snow. I watched helplessly as many of my fellow commuters tried fruitlessly to make it up hills and around corners in yesterday's mayhem. A smile comes to my face when I think back to the many occasions throughout my journey that I was able to show my daughters that although we were tired, cold and hungry there were people who were willing to stand outside in the cold, wet snow to help others to just make it home. So, instead of complaining about the obvious, this email comes to you with the hope that many may take time to reflect on the goodness that was present and to offer a big "Thank You."
-Laney Dunleavy

One thought I had while I sat in traffic with thousands of others....."WHAT IF THEY NEED TO PEE?"
- Estela Rosario

My better half picked me up at the John Hancock tower at 2:30 p.m.  At 4:30 p.m., we had only gone 2 miles on Route 9 to Northeastern.  We parked on the side, had a beer and then got back on Route 9.  We got to our driveway in Newton at 10:15 p.m.  The cars left in the middle of the road, batteries dead, out of gas, what a mess.  We laughed because we kept seeing "evacuation route" signs posted on Route 9.  It's obvious that a two lane road can't handle the pressure of a real emergency.  The state needs to rethink that!
- Karen Agresti

I work in West Bridgewater and live in West Wareham, we were sent home at 2 p.m. along with the rest of N.E. I didn't get to my area until 4:30. My husband wanted me to take back roads but one look at Route 106 and that was out of the question. It took 15 to 20 minuets alone just to get up the ramp from Route 24 onto Route 495, the top of that ramp is always a hassle but it was just ridicules Thursday. When I got home I looked at the clock and thought wow if this was a regular day I would have been home ten minuets ago.
- Annette G.

I work in Wakefield and live in Everett 14 miles is all I had to go. It took me exactly 3 hours to get home. I left work at 4:15 and arrived home at 7:15. The problem was everyone left work between 12 and 2 which gave the plows no time to get a head start on the roads.

-Tracy

Still trying to gather my humor, I thought I would share my snowstorm experience. I work in the Chelsea Public Schools, so at 2:45, I left Chelsea to pick up my daughter in Brighton. That trip took me two hours. We then headed home to Jamaica Plain, through Brighton and Brookline, trying to avoid the Storrow Drive gridlock. That trip which usually takes, 20 minutes  ended up taking us 4 1/2 hours to go back home. In total, I was in the car 6 1/2 hours. Where it usually takes 50 minutes. Needless to say, today is a better day, the children and I as a teacher have a day off to recuperate. My only concern is what if this had been an evacuation procedure? I don't think it would be any different, and no one would have been able to leave the city in an emergency.
-Kathy

I work at an office in Burlington, MA and left work at around 1:30 p.m. I didn't see a plow truck anywhere. There were no traffic officers to keep things orderly. Don't our tax dollars cover this? I also noticed there was an officer at Dunkin' Donuts. Well anyways, as expected, there was traffic, but I got home in 30 minutes. I also happen to live in Burlington, MA.
-Phil F.

I have spent time in some of the worst traffic spots in the world, crying out in frustration with the native drivers and feeling the joy of freedom when finally freed from the trap that is bad traffic. But nothing can compare to what I experienced this Thursday. That morning I dropped my car off at Sullivan Tires to have snow tires placed on it. At around 2:44 I pulled out of the lot and spent the next 6 1/2 hours driving the 1.4 miles home... Finally getting there around 9:20. Thoughts of warm food, friends and using the bathroom made the frustration a constant passenger. Anger would occasionally show up on the back seats when the occasional person would place their own interests above everyone else, just to get a few car lengths ahead. But the anger was constantly disappointed by acts of kindness from friends calling to offer support and other drivers who realized we were all in this together. I think I'll stick to the T for awhile :)
- Randy K.

I left the Kendall Square area (Biogen Idec at Cambridge Center) at 2:50 yesterday, heading to Newton Corner which is a 7 mile trip.  I usually cross MA Ave and head down Vassar Street to Memorial Drive.  When I finally crossed MA Ave, I noticed that Vassar St was now a one way street, going the wrong way for me.  I continued down MA Ave and took the next left.  Whatever street that was, it was complete gridlock.  I got out of my car to ask someone behind me directions to the MA pike West. When I eventually was heading toward Memorial Drive, I was about to go the wrong way, when I heard a pounding on my window.  My "Good Samaritan" (the gentleman I asked for directions earlier), let me know I needed to go right instead of left as I was heading.  I finally go to my driveway at 7:15.  
- Hannah G.

In all my years of commuting, last night was the WORST! I left Swampscott shortly after 3:00 p.m. I had to go thru Lynn to get to 128, and Lynn itself was gridlocked Almost didn't make it up one hill on Walnut Street. Took me 2 hours just to get to 128. THEN, 128 was a nightmare! Barely plowed, people getting stuck and running out of gas. I was on 128 between Walnut Street in Wakefield and Rte. 3A in Burlington for 3 hours. I finally got home in Billerica shortly after 8:30 last night, exhausted and terribly stressed. A total of 5-1/2 hours, for a ride which usually takes less than an hour, even in traffic. And the storm wasn't even that bad!!!!! What's the matter with people????
- Christina C.

I left Harvard Sq, yesterday at 3:30 p.m. and got home to Charlestown at 5:15 p.m., I used the red line (downtown crossing), orange line (Sullivan sq) and 93 bus (Bunker Hill St.). On Wednesday I left Harvard sq. at 5pm and got home to Charlestown at 6.45 pm, I used the 86 bus direct to Sullivan sq. then the 93. Go figure.
-Martin M.

I left Charlestown at 1:30 p.m. and arrived home in Norwood at 10:00 p.m. The city of Cambridge and the town of Brookline were in complete gridlock. To make matters worse, ambulance services were stifled by the ignorance and less than charitable disregard by drivers. In addition, the Governor's office contributed to gridlock conditions by their lack of management to stagger the release of their employees. Very poor planning on all major employers for lack of planning, as well.
- Allan Casassa

I had to pick my son up at Wentworth yesterday. We left the school at 2 p.m. At 9 p.m., we were only on Longwood Ave. Seven hours to go only a mile-and-a-half.  We finally went to get something to eat on Longwood. We didn't get home to Peabody 'till 11:30.  Long day.
-Bob Brophy
 

I work from my home here in Beverly. Just as the snow started I went downstairs to get some coffee. Later in the day, I stuck my head out th door and got snow in my hair. It was awfully cold and wet feeling. Around dinnertime, I had dinner.
-Warmly, Brian

I am a woman who was stuck in the storm yesterday for 8 hours! I left Boston at 2:15 and didn't reach my home in Milton until 10:30. I made the mistake of going down Huntington Avenue, where I immediately found myself in gridlock. The news has been reporting about the affect of the snow and lack of snow plows. This was NOT the problem. There should have been a policeman at EVERY intersection making sure traffic could flow...preventing the gridlock. I did not see ONE policeman or police car until 4 HOURS into the ride. When they finally DID appear, traffic began to move. OUTRAGEOUS!
- Caroline C.

I left Andover at 2PM and didn't arrive home in Norwood until 10:30. This was by far the most poorly mismanaged storm that I've seen in my 19 years of living here. I used up most of my gas and with it costing what it is I believe drivers should be reimbursed somehow for what they had to endure.
-Sean L.
 

I left Worcester yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m., I traveled on 4 major Mass highways and did not see one single plow?????? I finally got to my house in Melrose at 9 p.m. last night. What would normally have taken me 1 hour turned into a 7 hour ride from hell. Not only was the drive bad, but because of the ice, my driver's side windshield wiper completely snapped off around the Natick rest stop. I was then forced to drive 3 1/2 hours home without working windshield wipers, gotta love New England!!!
- Caitlin LeBlanc, Melrose, Ma

By 11:30 A.M., nearly 450 schools had posted closings, yet mine was still open. I left the garage at 3:39 P.M. and headed up Charles Street through the park. I noted the time and figured I'd be home by 4:30, at the latest, as my drive normally takes 15-20 minutes at that time of day. Once I made a left onto Beacon Street, I still thought I was going to be okay, but things worsened as I was nearing. I was shocked and appalled that the roads were not plowed or salted. As I got deeper into the Back Bay, I did not move for at good 45 minutes. I had to get out of the car and clean the windows numerous times. When I got to Gloucester St., I noticed there was no back-up down to Comm., so I drove down there. Approaching Mass. Ave., I did not move for almost an hour, when the other lane was moving a bit and no one would let me over! To not have police directing traffic at key intersections was yet another mistake. By 5:00, I had made it onto Mass. Ave. when a nice gentleman allowed to me get in front of him in the other lane. I was at the traffic light at Beacon and Mass - no one was going west on Beacon toward Kenmore Square - trying to get out of that mess for 40 minutes, only because people were blocking the intersection and Beacon was clear! I finally made it over to Bay State Road, parked the car, ran into UBurger (thank you for being open!), grabbed some food, and continued down Bay State, thinking it was clear. Traffic eventually backed up getting back onto Comm., and everyone was getting stuck and fishtailing, including my car - a 4-wheel drive SUV with mud/snow tires. I was also starting to get low on gas at that point. By the time I made it over the BU Bridge, it was about 7:00, and I inched up toward Mass. Ave. in Central Square. Mass. Ave. - a main artery - was not plowed or salted! By that time, it was a ghost town. I finally made it to my garage with barely any gas left in my car, unable to get in because of the incline. I fought my way in and finally parked my car, 4 hours and 14 minutes later - a 5 mile drive. It was nice to go down there this morning and see the snow had already melted off my car.
- Ashleigh Paige
 

I left Faulkner Hospital at 2:00 pm and I got to a friend's house in Wellesley at 6:15. I went to a friend's house instead of my home in Marlborough because I thought it would take another 4 hours to get to Marlborough. I only went back roads, I stayed off of Rt. 9 and 128 BUT even back roads were gridlocked!!!
- Mary Driscoll-Grace

I left work and got on the train at South Station at 3:00.  The train ride was fine- cars weren't too packed and everyone was moving at a good speed.  I got to Quincy Adams Station at 3:30.  I live right off Burgin Parkway, about a mile and a half away from the T station.  I expected a little back up... but I didn't get out of the parking garage until 6:30 and I was only one level up from the ramp to get on the highway!!!  Finally after getting outside of the parking garage I spent another hour attempting to get to Burgin Parkway.  No roads/highways were plowed!! I got home at 7:30! 4 hours for what is normally 5 minutes!!
-Jen

I travel from Westborough to Concord Monday thru Friday and it is a typical 40 minute commute.  However, yesterday it took me 2.5 hours to get home. I got to see a lot of major roadways yesterday and a lot of them were gridlocked. All in all, it was not fun at all!
- Ryan C. Horman

I left Downtown crossing at 1:45PM.  I arrived in West Roxbury at 6:00PM. The snow really wasn't a big issue until about 4:30 or so when the roads started to get slick and cars began to be stranded.  Until then it was solely ignorant drivers who continuously blocked intersection after intersection.  I've never personally witnessed stupidity on such a grand scale. Needless to say, in similar situations, the City and State need to treat the situation for what it was: an evacuation.  With that much traffic leaving all at once, a major portion of the public safety emergency is managing that flow. Unfortunately relying on drivers' common sense won't work.  The Boston Transportation Department and Police Department need to be deployed to all major intersections to focus on keeping traffic moving.
-Brian McDermott
 

I left Lynnfield at 1 PM and got home to Newton at 9 PM!  The snow was crazy!  Rt 9 at 9 PM was a sheet of ice!
Scary stuff!
-Stephanie Weitzman

Lexington to Franklin: 4 1/2 hrs, all back roads. Biggest aggravation: Dopes who couldn't/wouldn't keep intersections clear during traffic light cycles. Me first!
-Don S.