'Sully's Little Shortcuts'

09/19/08 - There is an infinite number of ways to get stuck in traffic coming to the Kingston campus, but how many people know the shortcuts?Like everything else in life, it all depends on where you're coming from, but here are a few helpful hints at getting around that horrible morning traffic, and maybe, just maybe, catching up on that sleep in class rather than behind the wheel.



Bonnet Shores/Narragansett

If you're coming from Bonnet/Narragansett, you are already aware that getting to and going through 138 is a bloody nightmare in the morning. The absolute best thing to do is look at a map, find all the side streets and plot out the best route from there (duh!). But if you're looking to get it spelled out for you, the best way would be to pass the 138 turnoff at the tower and continue South. Then, about three or four miles down, you want to take a right at a hole-in-the-wall street named Saugatucket Road.

After that, just make a right onto either Rose Hill or 108, which lead directly to 138, but way farther down from the tower. Just be careful though, local police HQ is right on the 108/Saugatucket intersection, so DON'T FREAKING SPEED!



Bonnet Shores/Narragansett Completely avoiding the Tower Hill/138 Intersection

If you want to avoid the tower intersection completely, follow 1A South after the intersection of Boston Neck Road. and Bridgetown Road until you see Old Boston Neck Road on your left. Follow that until you see Middlebridge Road one the right, and take that to Route 1 north. Use the following turnaround and take a left onto Saugatucket Road. and follow the previous directions.



From Providence/95

All right, this is a secret I give somewhat unwillingly, mainly because I use it all the time, but it's usually only a problem when there's beach traffic anyway.

So how many times has this happened to you: you're going down Route 4, minding your own business, and BOOM!!! You're stuck in traffic a mile or so before the first set of lights. The solution? Get to that first set of lights; if you're bold you can get into the breakdown lane, but I have been pulled over before doing it, so take it at your own risk.

At the first set of lights, take a right and then a left at the fork in the road almost immediately after. Now you should be on Lafayette Road. Continue there until you reach the end of the road and take a left. Then take your immediate right onto Indian Corner Road, and make sure it's a right because a left will keep you going in the opposite direction, but still on the same road (don't you just love the cattle path system of Rhode Island roads?). Continue on that road; it will change names as you go, but you're staying straight the whole way so don't worry about it. When that road ends, take a right, and then a left onto Old North Road. If you don't know where you are at that point, then you are a freshman and I don't want you stealing my shortcuts anyway.



From Green Hill/Matunuck

If you're coming from Green Hill or Matunuck, you shouldn't be reading this because there are only cops to worry about on Route 110 and never any traffic worse than a school bus. Just be careful of that school zone speed trap right before URI, otherwise you're golden.



When You're Finally at the University

For the sake of my health and that of many others, please, STAY THE HECK OFF OF UPPER COLLEGE ROAD.!!!!! Whether you're leaving at 3-5 p.m. or getting in during the morning hours, it's always a zoo. They made the Lower College Road for a darn good reason, and besides, if you want to get to the church parking lot before anyone else, Old North Road is the better way to go. If you're going to commuter parking down the hill, then what the heck are you doing on Upper College anyway?



Best Parking Times and Places

If you want to get to the Fine Arts Center, get there before 8 a.m., otherwise you will be sitting in line waiting for everyone else who was naive enough to think there would be space to get out of your way. Also, if you are stuck in that line, take a right and go around the block instead of waiting 10 minutes for oncoming traffic to let you go. Believe me, you will save the lives of those with weak hearts behind you.



The Church is another good spot, but again, you have to get in there before 8 a.m., or you will not find a spot without double parking. And you always have to be up on your Catholic Saint holidays, as it is closed on most of them.



Parking Sticker Policies

If you are anxious about getting towed because you haven't gotten your sticker yet, don't worry, just park in any lot until you get three warning stickers. After the third, though, you will get towed, so don't overdo it.