^{By Annette Gagliardi}  

       It’s summer in Minneapolis and that means road construction. This year – the summer of 2008-- has seen a boon in road construction. “You can’t get there from here” is the common reply to any directional query.  All roads lead to a construction zone. Since the 35W bridge collapse, there are detours from south to north Mpls along that route. In addition, the 35W freeway between downtown and HWY 62 is under construction, so the cross streets and exit ramps are closed as workers make new bridges.  Several other construction projects are blocking access to a variety of exits/ entrances onto Highways 35W and the 62 cross-town highway.  In addition, many street construction projects make it difficult to go from one area of the city to another.

      My friend has a theory about the road construction. She lives near Lyndale Avenue, which is under construction from 38th to 52cd streets. She says that the old adage about the difference between men and boys is the just the size (and price) of their toys is clearly evident.  Just look at all the fun these big boys are having with their road graders and dump trucks and bobcats. It is the equivalent of a large sand box.
      First they take the entire cement and black top off the streets. Then they take all the dirt and pile it in one huge pile. Later, they move the big pile and put it into similarly sized smaller piles along one side of the street. They dig long trenches and bring up the old sewer pipes and water mains.  They back fill and readjust the sand to dirt ratio. They add new pipes – or not—then put dirt and sand back over those pipes.  Oh my! They are having fun!

      Meanwhile, life must go on for the folks who live along Lyndale Avenue.  The side streets have much more traffic, and people use a lot more gas trying to get to and from places around Lyndale Avenue. Many just walk or bike around because using the car is impossible.

     It is like a giant game of "Can you get there from here?" where the road construction guys map out the board and we, the reluctant participants try to move through the maze to find our destination.  "Come on, people, play  with us!" they are saying.

     I am concerned about the Republican’s coming in September to attend the National Convention.  They may get to the twin cities. But, once they get to their hotel, will they be able to navigate their way to the Excel center in St. Paul, or will they be stuck driving around, over and through the detours in Minneapolis?  
   At any rate. We all know that the second season of the year in Minnesota is Winter. And that, folks, means the end of road construction.  At least, let’s hope so.
   
     But, here it is December 2008, and guess what? The streets are not all open. The Republicans did come to town and they found their way in and out of our cities via trains, planes, buses, taxis and automobiles.  Some projects did get finished, but not all of them.  The 35 W  freeway is still under construction and the exits and entrances are still being closed and opened at irregular intervals.
     The new Lyndale avenue has swales and turn lanes. The parking areas don’t get plowed well – or at all. The street is not plowed well, so what remains is greasy and difficult to drive through.
     Perhaps you think I am just a complainer, and you may be right about that.  However, as one who has come to expect a certain quality in her city streets – such as the ability to drive down them in a fairly straightforward manner— I see this new dysfunctional street is totally uncalled for.
       If the Department of transportation – the only ones who got any money this year, can’t fix our streets  for efficient transport, what’s a department of transportation for, anyway?

       Now, it is April of 2009, and the work continues on Lyndale Avenue. The sandbox part has just moved farther north -- and south!  along the road, and different residents are being affected more or less, depending on their property address. I notice that there is still one layer of blacktop to be put down, one layer of sod or grass seed to be added, and street lights to be added, and semifores to be attached and hooked up. So, now a year and a half later, men are still employed on the improvements to Lyndale Avenue.

    In addition, the 46th entrance and exit to the 35W freeway is still closed, the bridge crossing the 35W freeway is still out and residents get routinely dismayed by new road closures. However, the 50th street bridge is open, so progress can be seen.

      Today one street is open, but tomorrow it is closed.  Next week that street will be open, but the alternative route you had been taking will be closed. It all seems like a giant game of cat and mouse.  And perhaps it is!  Our sand box boys have branched out and now are playing the game full tilt with us residents.  Perhaps we are unwilling participants, but that is of no concern to our road crew. So the game is Sand Box: Can you get there from here?  and the  routes change daily. The rules are still the same: have fun, take turns and your goal: getting anywhere --anywhere at all, from here.