The Honda Civic That Achieved Enlightenment Before Reaching the Lowe's

A left turn into Central Park decays into a multi-hour spiritual event, and VDOT calls it a feature.

SATURDAY 11:02 AM

A silver Civic flicks on its left blinker to turn into Central Park off Route 3. The driver has a coffee, a plan, and the naive optimism of the newly arrived.

Driver

Just grabbing one thing at the Lowe's. Home by noon.

11:48 AM

The blinker is still going. The car has advanced one and a half car lengths. The coffee is room temperature, and so is the driver's faith in municipal planning.

Driver

The light has turned green four times. I have witnessed four greens and remained.

1:15 PM

Two lanes have merged into one, then into a concept. A Cracker Barrel rocking chair is visible but unreachable, like a lighthouse to the doomed.

Driver

I no longer want the thing from Lowe's. I'm not sure I ever wanted anything.

VDOT sign

EXPECT DELAYS

4:30 PM

The Civic reaches the parking lot at last. The driver steps out, blinks at the sun, and does not remember the item. Asked about the corridor, a VDOT spokesperson issues a statement.

VDOT

The extended dwell time gives motorists a rare chance to reflect, reconnect, and really get to know the Applebee's signage.

He went in for a left turn and came out a calmer man. The traffic study called this an improvement.