1980's Boston Traffic 

Earlier today, some guy drove past me in a 1985 Trans Am. It stuck out amongst the crowd of cars that were all from at least the 2010 area, and it was weird to think that you'd see cars that looked like that all the time. Watching this just makes me feel that same feeling, but even stronger. It's cool in that weird sort of way, it really feels like you're traveling through time.

Wow even back the people didn't know how to drive.

Fascinating, watching Police in Boston from 35 years ago actually performing physical labor rather than parked in a cruiser with the A/C on and texting on a smartphone.

Ahhh I remember this very vaguely, the Larry Bird era, I remember bits and pieces of this time but the more the years go by, it starts to fade away a little.

back then when the roads werent 95% Suv

This video was used to push the Big Dig as a miracle cure-all for Boston's traffic problems. 24 billion dollars later, I wonder how that worked out?

Definitely a bygone era of simplicity and decency and far less stressful and complicated.

I wanna go back! The 2020s f*cking SUCK!!!

$24 billion later and traffic is even worse

This looks more like the late 80s, maybe early 90s. Newest car I saw was a Ford probe, which came out 1988/89

the Rte buses came out as early as 84 or 85 in Boston. I remember riding my first one on blue hill ave. everyone letting buses pass to just to get on the new bus lol

1:02-1:25 is West Broadway at D St. in Southie. Probably late 80s.

Sumner tunnel crush still looks like that.

Judging from a couple license plate designs seen on a few of the vehicles this couldn't be from before 1987...

1:28 when the Masshole meets his match

🤣🤣🤣🤣 it’s a Boston thing 1:27 and they still drive like this till this day

Its sad to see these cars in junkyards now

1:05 Those gas prices…..😢

So many Boxy Cars!

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Cop doing his job not looking to profile and shoot, no one lost using a Cellphone, no one wearing expensive brands to impress and seems simple

2:29 Dang. A 1963~1964 in 1989?

1:05 - $1.09 for gas. 1:31 - still seeing same dumb drivers today in 2020.

Back when Police were actually horned and respected.

The traffic in Boston during the 1980s was characterized by several factors, reflecting both the infrastructure and the driving culture of the time. Here's a breakdown of some key points: ### Infrastructure and Roadways - **The Central Artery**: One of the most notable elements was the Central Artery, a six-lane elevated highway (Interstate 93) that cut through the heart of downtown Boston. This highway was notorious for its congestion and was often referred to as the "Green Monster" due to its green paint and the traffic nightmares it caused. - **The Big Dig**: By the late 1980s, planning for the Big Dig (officially known as the Central Artery/Tunnel Project) was well underway. This massive infrastructure project aimed to alleviate the traffic problems caused by the Central Artery by replacing it with an underground expressway. Construction didn't start until the 1990s, but the planning stages were a significant focus during the 1980s. - **Limited Capacity**: Boston's road network was not designed to handle the volume of traffic it experienced. Many of the roads and bridges were built in earlier decades when the population and number of vehicles were much lower. ### Traffic Conditions - **Congestion**: Traffic congestion was a daily reality for Bostonians. Rush hours were particularly brutal, with long delays being common. The Central Artery was a major choke point, but other key routes like Storrow Drive and Memorial Drive also saw significant backups. - **Parking**: Finding parking in downtown Boston was a challenge. Many streets had limited parking spaces, and parking garages were often expensive and filled to capacity. ### Public Transportation - **MBTA**: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) provided public transportation options, including buses, the subway (locally known as the "T"), and commuter rail services. While the MBTA helped alleviate some of the traffic pressures, the system itself faced issues like aging infrastructure and occasional service disruptions. ### Cultural Factors - **Driving Culture**: Boston has always been known for its aggressive driving culture. In the 1980s, this was no different. Drivers were known for their impatience and willingness to push the limits, which only added to the traffic chaos. - **Navigation Challenges**: Navigating Boston's roads could be difficult due to the city's layout, which includes many one-way streets and roads that don't follow a grid pattern. This could be particularly challenging for newcomers and visitors. ### Summary Boston's traffic in the 1980s was marked by congestion, outdated infrastructure, and a notoriously challenging driving environment. The Central Artery was a major contributor to the city's traffic woes, leading to the eventual development of the Big Dig project to address these issues. Public transportation provided some relief, but navigating the city's roads remained a significant challenge for drivers.

It looks like they already converted to metric there inadvertently. The sign says max 30, doesnt specify units, and it looks like theyre doing no more than 30 km/h to me.

Love this clip so much I had to come back to it. 1980's = Boston traffic sucks 1990's = still sucks 2000's (post Big Dig, single worst state boondoggle in US history) = sucks even more 2010, 2020... = yep, you guessed it

1:30 I love how both of them are not in the lanes they should be in. THIS is why Boston is the worst place to drive! Their kids probably grew up to be more idiot drivers. 🤦🏻‍♂️

looking it all those ugly cars

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