What's the point of waiting so long? Test people's patience and car engines?
"What's the point of waiting so long? Test people's patience and car engines?"
I suppose one should leave the incoming lanes open so people can get back in... emergency workers, relatives picking people up, etc. One would not want to close off ingress too quickly.
If that frustrates you, just pretend you're in NASCAR traffic. Anyone who has gone to a NASCAR race will appreciate this joke.
I've been wondered that myself. I understand it is a logistical nightmare to convert both lanes of interstate traffic in one direction. Imagine the frustration of sitting in bumper to bumper traffic while watching one's gas supply evaporate.