Even the Brits are picking up on the slightly slower traffic we all experienced over Thanksgiving. This article in the Daily Telegraph claims travel was down a third this year as the effects of the economic downturn continue to be felt.
The number of people traveling for Thanksgiving in America has fallen by more than a third since four years ago with the downturn in the economy blamed for the stay-at-home trend.
In 2005, around 58 million people made journeys to see family or friends for the holiday but this year the figure is expected to be 38 million, according to research by AAA. The number of people taking flights has fallen by 6.7 per cent since last year as those that do travel opt for the cheaper option of going by train or car.
Amtrak said it expected the day before Thanksgiving to be its busiest of the year with around 125,000 passengers. On an average Wednesday it carries 74,000 passengers. Most people have decided that car travel makes the most financial sense and about 33 million are expected to drive.
Thanksgiving journeys fell by 25 per cent between 2007 and 2008 and there is not likely to be a reverse of that trend this year, AAA said.
Well, actually it still seemed pretty busy here on Anna Maria Island. Perhaps we should count ourselves lucky...
Visit www.annamaria.com for the very best in vacation rentals on this paradise island
Friday 27 November 2009
Friday 20 November 2009
Work, work, work on Anna Maria Island
Just in case you were wondering what those orange barricades, barrels and road-construction signs were doing cluttering up the roads on Anna Maria Island and nearby Longboat Key, get used to them, they’re going to be around for a while.
According to the Bradenton Herald, the Florida Department of Transportation has planned almost two dozen projects spread out over 18 months, possibly the heaviest construction schedule the islands have ever seen.
Some residents who attended the open house meeting where the work was unveiled opposed plans to build a sidewalk along a portion of North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria. They question whether the $48,416 project, funded entirely by federal economic stimulus money, is justified.
Other projects include rehabilitating bridges on Crescent Avenue and North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria; resurfacing parts of Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive in Anna Maria; installing sidewalks along Gulf Front Park; and upgrading the traffic signal at East Bay Drive and Gulf Drive.
I'm sure it will all look lovely when it's all done, but, well, y'know, it's a shame they can just swoop in at night and then disappear by daybreak.
Come to Anna Maria Island and stay with us at www.annamaria.com for the very best in vacation rental property this side of heaven
According to the Bradenton Herald, the Florida Department of Transportation has planned almost two dozen projects spread out over 18 months, possibly the heaviest construction schedule the islands have ever seen.
Some residents who attended the open house meeting where the work was unveiled opposed plans to build a sidewalk along a portion of North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria. They question whether the $48,416 project, funded entirely by federal economic stimulus money, is justified.
Other projects include rehabilitating bridges on Crescent Avenue and North Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria; resurfacing parts of Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive in Anna Maria; installing sidewalks along Gulf Front Park; and upgrading the traffic signal at East Bay Drive and Gulf Drive.
I'm sure it will all look lovely when it's all done, but, well, y'know, it's a shame they can just swoop in at night and then disappear by daybreak.
Come to Anna Maria Island and stay with us at www.annamaria.com for the very best in vacation rental property this side of heaven
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