Is it possible to have a love/hate relationship with a government department?

Because I'm pretty sure I have one. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) has caused me many smiles and bursts of anger this summer. I know it's construction season and that everyone needs to expect some delays, but I feel like my commute is extra ridiculous.

Currently I drive about 20 miles from my home to the office. 95% of that commute is freeway or highway, so when traffic is good it only takes me 25 minutes. (Mapquest even agrees with my time estimate). I do understand that 25 minutes is unrealistic when driving during rush hour. So I usually plan 30-40 minutes for my commute.

But, I digress. MN DOT has been working on this lovely little
project since 2002 and I've got two more years of detours and lane restrictions until they are done.

This project is really the root of my love/hate relationship with MNDOT and the fact that I'm adjusting to living closer to Wisconsin than I'm used to.

I started out hating MNDOT for still working on this project even though it's been three years! Then on my commute home, MNDOT opened up a new exit for me. It saved me a good five minutes! I was so excited! I really started liking MN DOT. Then they did some work on another project that also affected my commute. I was so frustrated. I was running into major delays everywhere! Finally they finished this other project and once again I could zip around.

Next, MNDOT closed my exit to the freeway (494) and opened up a detour. Well, for about a week the detour was fabulous. Not very many people were using it and it saved me another 5-10 minutes in the morning. I was consistantly getting to work in under 30 minutes. That meant I had time to stop for coffee. *sigh*

Well now MNDOT has altered the detour and some other road is also using the same detour and traffic is really heavy again. UGH. Plus there are all these stupid semi's getting on the freeway during rush hour causing problems and slowing down everyone else. I fear that my glorious shortened commute has ended.

I also can't figure out how I'm supposed to get on the freeway after they close the detour.

Someday, hopefully it'll all be better, until then I will just have to deal.