This morning, the award for the longest delay goes to Route 1 north of town.   It backed up every early this morning due to problems near Route 99.  At worst, we reported a one hour drive from Topsfield to Boston, with jammed traffic from Route 95 to 99.  Route 128 also felt the effects and was slow approaching Route 1 in Peabody.

The Lowell Line of the Commuter Rail was running this morning after yesterday's track accident.  There were shuttle buses running periodically from Anderson RTC to North Station to handle overflow volume, but there were no major problems. 

Also, we had one breakdown at the top of the HOV lane near Savin Hill on the Expressway North.   The vehicle ran out of gas.  Oops.  Imagine running out of gas and stopping a line of cars in the HOV lane during morning rush!  

Have you ever run out of gas?  I have, but not as a driver, if that makes any difference!  Many years ago (when I was still in high school), a friend and I were driving back from the beach.  Her gas gauge was broken, and we ran out of gas on the way home.  We broke down on a hill at a busy intersection.  Suffice it to say we were not the most popular commuters that day.  In our infinite wisdom, we decided to push the vehicle.  I say "we" because the two of us got out of the car and started pushing, not thinking that it might be a good idea if the car was occupied by someone who could steer and brake.  The car started rolling, alright:  straight downhill.  We jumped into the car simultaneously and stopped the car before anything terrible happened, but it was a close call indeed.  Her father came and rescued us a short time later.  Talk about embarrassing!  Our egos were bruised, to say the least.  Yes, we have learned a lot since then, in case you are wondering!

So, make me feel better and tell me your stories of running out of gas.  I need the company!