Tis -- We basicly live just off the intersection of 290/495 ...... with the completion of construction long finished on Rte 3, through the years, when traffic is figured in, we find shooting up the Everrett Tnpke to be somewhere around 10 min or more shorter (no great shakes --except it's all about getting up there) and I have to admit, getting off 495 as soon as possible is an added joy.
We use Rte 93 as our rarely used alternate, if we heard about any back-up or traffic issue (on the radio) or simply see the Rte 3 ramp "plugged" as we approach. It also serves as a nice alternate if Manchester has any issues as you can very easily (and time effectively) bail out on 293 and scoot across the few miles and grab 93N once again -- done that on a rare occassion too because of former construction in Manchester.
I liken it to folks who persist in thinking that staying on the Mass Pike (from CT) and running all the way to 495N instead of taking 290. The timings are close, yet the former is definately a longer run.
Takes us fairly consistantly an hour & 50 minutes from door to door.
__________________
A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!
|