We all know the feeling. You pull yourself out your cozy bed, eat your mundane breakfast, brave the cold weather, just to find that your morning routine has been derailed by a train. At this point, you face a series of options that will determine the fate of your morning.

The Montague Dilemma:

If you’re like me, and you take I-26 to school, then you get off on exit 213 to Montague Street. Usually a pleasant drive, Montague offers a quick and scenic route to school. However, another hidden danger lurks beneath Montague’s facade of tranquility. The notorious railroad tracks. Cutting through Montague Street about a half mile before Magnet, these tracks have frustrated travelers for years. Feeling victorious after seemingly narrowly escaping being late, drivers will no doubt be left upset at the sight of a train blocking their path. Now we get into the heart of the Montague dilemma: Do you wait the train out and hope for the best or resort to alternative measures?

Option 1:

Wait it out. It’s simple. If you do decide to do this, you are essentially at the mercy of the train. You may be fortunate and the train may pass by quickly in a matter of minutes. However, the more likely scenario is that the train will stop on the tracks, leaving you to wonder why you didn’t choose the other option.

Option 2:

If the train is excessively long or stops on the track, then you may consult option 2. Back within the streets of North Charleston there exists a secret route notorious for saving students. First, you must navigate to Mall Drive, a small street coming off of Montague. The trick comes in arriving at this point as you will be no doubt encircled by a mass of angry drivers. However, it’s crucial that you find a way to escape the swarm of cars whether it be by utilizing a U turn or even crossing over the median. Once you reach Mall Drive, follow it all the way until it reaches Rivers Avenue. Once you’re on Rivers, an overpass will guide you over the train tracks and into freedom.

Whatever option you choose, it’s important to commit. While some mornings it may be better to wait the train out, I would recommend taking the secret route. Otherwise, your frustration will only build as you sit powerless amid the throng of traffic. So, the next time you find yourself stuck behind a train, consider all your options.