Driving on Baltimore Pike can be a challenge any time.

It just got a lot worse. Been on the Pike in Clifton Heights or Springfield lately? Do yourself a favor. If you can avoid it, do it.

A repaving project is going on from Burmont Avenue in Clifton to Route 420 in Springfield. The road has been milled. When you drive on it now, it’s like being on one of those old exercise machines. You kind of shake, shimmy and roll. And of course there are all those raised manhole covers to knock your alignment out of whack, and loosen your fillings.

If that’s not enough, you’re also driving through a dust storm that would choke those folks in covered wagons back in the Old West.

Such is the cost of progress. Indeed the road to ruin is paved with good intentions.

The key is patience. As detailed by our traffic reporter John Roman earlier this week, PennDOT is planning to repave 60 miles of roads in the county. In other words, it’s going to be some very tough sledding out there.

It’s one of the annual rites of spring. If possible, leave the car home and hoof it. Think of all the money you’ll save on gas.