The Day After

We were in Boston working yesterday, so didn't get a first-hand look at the Warped Tour and its impact on the area.

However, we heard a few scattered reports of some pretty serious traffic issues yesterday. We heard Route 2 west was backed up to Shirley and the exit was closed for a little while to manage traffic. A commenter said last night it was brutal getting around.

We're of two minds on this. We think this is the kind of event the city deperately needs. The two photos of the event in the first four pages of today's Boston Herald reinforces our feeling that this kind of event is important for the city and creates good publicity.

However, the day illustrates the infrastructure problems in Fitchburg and city's need (with help from the state and, maybe, the feds) to improve access to and from Route 2. It's also a colossal inconvenience for residents.

That the concert was on a Wednesday and not on a Saturday takes some of the sting out of the traffic situation. Most folks were at work or even on vacation yesterday, not running around the area doing errands. But for people who were around, it was a hassle, no doubt.

The question is, is the day's hassle worth the benefit for the city? I'm leaning toward "yes." People in Foxboro handle far worse 10 times a year. Residents in the Fenway take it on 81 times a year. Down in Mansfield, 495 is a constant mess during concerts at Great Woods.

The best news of the day is outside of the traffic, the event went smoothly. A number of concert-goers needed medical attention, but that was expected. If the city and the region can figure out some way to get a better grip on the traffic (unlikely, we'd think, but we're not traffic engineers. Anyone?), the airport becomes an even more attractive concert venue.

So, anyone around yesterday who can share a story or two about the traffic? And was the inconvenience small enough to want to see more big events at the airport?