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November 25, 2007

Pass patterns and traffic patterns

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

When it comes to pass patterns, the New England Patriots are brilliant.

When it comes to traffic patterns...not so much.

Not since the infamous opening day of the old Schaefer Stadium has traffic been worse along Route 1 on game days in Foxboro than it has been this season. And now, today, Patriots fans also will have to deal with shoppers driving to the Family Kraft's retail outlets in the shadow of the stadium.

Why anyone would fight game-day traffic to go shopping is beyond me. Then again, so is getting up at 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to shop. I could see getting up at 4 a.m. to get in line for a tee time at Bethpage Black, but not to get a Christmas gift for Uncle Al.

Nevertheless, there doubtless will be hordes of determined shoppers further clogging the already overcrowded roads and further complicating what has been a slow, frustrating, and generally unpleasant commute to Gillette Stadium.

I'm planning on leaving for the game at the ridiculously early hour of 3 p.m., in hopes of settling into the press box in time to watch the 4 o'clock games. Which means I could be nodding off by the time the Pats and Eagles kickoff, shortly after 8. Or by the time the Patriots open up a 21-0 lead. Which also is likely to be shortly after 8.

For fans from Providence going to the game, I suggest that, once you get to Route 1, you stay in the two LEFT lanes, which move more quickly than the two right lanes (which provide entrance into the new shopping mall) and will lead you to the large new lot across the road from the stadium, from which I've been told post-game exiting is surprisingly efficient.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 10:48 AM | Permalink