Kevin Hillier says our traffic is enough to drive you nuts
We all know a week is a long time in football and after last week, let me tell you, it’s a long time in traffic as well. Let me run you through my latest commuting nightmare and I’m sure you’ll have stories to share, too.
Last week, I was hosting from noon-4pm on SEN, which is based in Swan Street, Richmond. It’s usually a cruisy drive on the highway, through the Burnley Tunnel, exiting at Burnley Street then two minutes to Swan Street and there you are. But let me you take you through it day by day …
Monday: Cup eve. I was worried the parade might affect the traffic so I left early. What a dream run, because just about everyone had taken the day off to make it a four-day weekend.
Tuesday: Melbourne Cup, and I was broadcasting from the track. I expected plenty of traffic and while it was busy, it was not over the top. Getting out after the last race was tedious and then came mandatory, as opposed to random, breath test on the Princes Highway. But after that it was whooshka.
Wednesday: I dodged a bullet here because just as I was coming off the Westgate Bridge I heard a traffic alert saying a car was on fire at the Burnley Tunnel exit. Luckily I peeled off on Kings Way and avoided what turned out to be massive delays.
Thursday (D for Disaster Day): Depart at 10.30 and, if all goes to plan, I’ll be in my SEN office just after 11. A small bingle near the Laverton turnoff inbound choked the traffic coming out of Hoppers Crossing but once past that it was smooth sailing towards the bridge. An accident in the tunnel turned the bridge into a carpark and while reports said the accident had been cleared, merging traffic from the Bolte and Westgate bridges was going nowhere. I walked into SEN at 12.15, an hour and 45 minutes after leaving home.
Friday: I left earlier than normal, scared of being late again, and was at my desk in 30 minutes.
Why do we put up with this? Get Wyndham moving, indeed. ■
If you have any news or events, let me know at kevin@howdypartnersmedia. com.au
