If you live in or around Toledo, you no doubt have heard that the junction of 475 and US 23 has been closed. If you do not live in Toledo, you will understand this is a major way to get north to Michigan, south into Ohio. In addition, the implications are big on I-475, which is your blogger's preferred method of choice for getting to places like Toledo's predominant mall (Franklin Park -- er, Westfield Shopping Towne), Toledo's predominant restaurant (the Beirut), and Toledo's best grocery store (Bassett's Market. What were you expecting?)

But this situation will only last for six months. (Ack!)

Anyway, our friends at the Ohio Department of Transportation have suggested a detour route. The Blade (one of America's great newspapers, according to The Blade) sent three people out to drive ODOT's route, as well as two other routes. The trip they usually took takes twenty minutes.

Driver A took one route. It took 21 minutes.

Driver B took a second route. It took 20 minutes.

Driver C took ODOT's suggested route. It took 24 minutes.

God bless ODOT, where they never let common sense darken their door.

(Incidentally, I found myself in the heart of the affected area last night and took what looked to be Driver A's route - getting off 75 at Monroe Street by the museum, and then just sticking on Monroe Street. Yes, there were more stoplights, but I got where I was going with a minimum of fuss.)