Over-the-border commuters not quite panicking

For the seven years he lived in Chicago, Steve Furnett had to constantly deal with extraordinary traffic issues.

"First, it was the Kennedy. Then, it was Lake Shore Drive. Then, it was Soldier Field," says Furnett, who moved to Kenosha, Wis., a year or so ago.

He thought he'd escaped all that, but has found himself face-to-face -- or foot-to-brake as the case may be -- with the Tri-State Tollway widening project.

Work began last year on the southbound section from Russell Road to Grand Avenue. But because he starts work at 7 a.m. as the exhibitions manager at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda, Furnett was usually able to escape the brunt of congestion.

This year, the south section from Grand south to O'Hare International Airport will be the target.

"If I don't leave at 3 (p.m.), I'm in trouble," he said. "Just when you think you've got it figured out."

While Furnett joked that he's a magnet for road construction, he should still escape relatively unscathed this year because of his work hours.

"I think I'll play it by ear and see what happens."

Flora Ward, a Kenosha resident who works in advertising for Walgreens in Deerfield will do the same, though she may not have it as easy.

"If that means I have to leave earlier, I'll leave earlier," she said. "Last year, it was bad."

When traffic is light, Ward can make it to Deerfield in about 45 minutes. The average is more like an hour, though construction and weather are factors.

"I'm aware it won't be a good commute," she said. Fellow Wisconsin commuters at work talk about traffic all the time, she added.

Ward said she is not planning any changes in her routine, but could detour to arterial roads at some point. Luckily, she doesn't have to punch a clock.

"I still have to get to work," she said. "I'm fortunate I work for a company that understands."