Before starting my vehicle, I pause and cock my head, straining to hear a sound. I wait and there it is, a mechanical rumble. Thundering down the South Shore Drive is a huge side dumper, it moves quickly to the road’s dead end, approximately a quarter of a mile away. Here is where the South Shore Drive ends, and here is where the big truck turns around.
I turn on the ignition and ease to the top of my driveway where I wait until the giant truck does its turn-around and hurtles past me.
Once the huge machine dashes past, I hustle my pick-up onto the road and follow. I follow at a safe distance until the flagman motions me to the side of the road that he wants me to use. As I cruise along, I wonder what this morning will bring in the world of road construction.
When construction began six weeks ago, the thought of all the workers, heavy equipment and huge trucks made me nervous. I worried about accidentally knocking over an orange barrel or getting stuck in the mire.
I needn’t have been concerned. The workers are helpful and friendly. Truck drivers motion me on if I hesitate, and navigating the construction zone has become almost routine.
Discussing the “state of the road” is now a standard topic among the citizens of the South Shore Drive. We compare notes on the progress – looks good – not counting rainy days. We are grateful the work is being done and end most conversations with the comment, “I’m not complaining. It will be wonderful when finished.”
However, back six weeks ago, I wasn’t so complacent. You can imagine the cold fear that struck my heart in that first week of road construction when I rolled down the window and the flagman pointed to the newly dug muddy side of the road and asked me to “Follow that side dumper.”
Clutching the steering wheel until my knuckles were white, I followed the truck through super big ruts, keeping my foot steady on the gas pedal. I made it, and the driver motioned me on. I went my merry, muddy way, feeling rather smug.
Today, I follow a familiar pattern. The flagmen signals me to stop while the side dumper empties its load, then signals me on, and within a few minutes, I’m out of the construction zone and on the pavement driving towards town.
Only one issue is left to deal with—my muddy, dirty vehicle, but I don’t see any sense in washing it until the construction is finished.
Leave a Reply