Massachusetts Department of Transportation study projects old Rush Hour traffic congestion will not returning anytime soon

Traffic, what traffic?  Rush hour on Massachusetts highways is unlikely to return to pre-COVID crowds until at least 2024, according to new projections.  Image via CBS Boston

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Not seeing red for a change?
Image via Bloomberg

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (“MassDOT”) projects that pre-COVID-19 pandemic rush hour traffic patterns and resultant traffic congestion is not likely to be returning anytime soon.

Rush hour traffic on Massachusetts highways is unlikely to return to pre-COVID levels until at least 2024 per MassDOT projections

MassDOT further suggests that the return of rush hour traffic congestion could take even longer if the recovery of the economy drags on longer than anticipated and/or if working from home remains common in the eventual likely to be new normal somewhere down the road.

Look out below!
A barrons.com graphic

Concurrently, MassDOT also expects that MBTA ridership will continue to face considerable declines in ridership and thus suffer greatly increased losses given declines in fare revenue as straphangers stay at home, opt for driving to work or switch to ride sharing services and which had been a long ongoing trend before COVID-19 hit the fan.

While not noted by the MassDOT, about the only upsides are that lessened road use should lessen the wear and tear on road surfaces. 

Derailments happen …
A Boston Fire Department image

Then again, potholes happen and rust never sleeps.

On the bright side, however, given expected reductions in public transit bus, subway and train schedules, perhaps the MBTA will be better able to mitigate equipment breakdowns while its rolling stock in service.

In the meanwhile, and as regularly experienced by roving Quincy Quarry News personnel, vehicular accident caused traffic delays on local highways continue to be common in spite of much reduced traffic levels on them given an uptick in the rate of traffic accidents on a per mile drive basis.

Blinkah?  What’s a blinkah?
An AP file photo

As to this seeming anomaly, Quincy Quarry opines that it is at least partially the result of Masshole drivers’ unfamiliarity with both driving at as well as more likely above posted speed limits. 

That and Massholes being Massholes.

For an extended review of MassDOT’s projections, see: MassDOT Study Finds Old Rush Hour Patterns Not Returning Soon

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