When I started CorridorCommute just over four years ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew a lot of people were frustrated by traffic slowdowns that could easily be avoided, and I had a good idea for how I could help. After sharing the idea of a Twitter bot with a few friends, I set out to build it. Some extra time off around the holidays sped things along, and I launched the bot and a rough website in January 2009. I was fortunate to get some press in the Gazette (print and online), so there was momentum pretty quickly.

From there, things have mostly just worked. I’ve done a few behind-the-scenes updates to maintain compatibility with Twitter changes, pushed a few updates to the website, and changed domain registrars. Hundreds of people follow the account on Twitter, and the site still sees regular hits on its news feed. For a couple of years, the site was featured as a live sidebar on a few of the SourceMedia blogs, and was regularly credited in articles and media reports. In all, the site has been much more successful than I’d ever guessed it would be. There have been lots of other things I’ve wanted to do, but haven’t been able to find the time.

And Now

Which leads me to today: It’s time to let this project go, as time just doesn’t allow me to grow and expand the idea like I’ve always wanted to. I’ve had a long list of things to add and improve, but haven’t been able to get any completed. Changing family and work commitments have made my time much more limited, and rather than let the project languish, I’d like to see it out while it’s still great.

Building CorridorCommute and watching it grow has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m glad to have been able to serve the communities I live and work in with this project. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to interact with a lot of different people interested in how the site works (including the Montana Department of Transportation). I’ve also had the great fortune of meeting other people through Twitter and the site who I may not have otherwise connected with.

Thanks

I’d like to thank all of you for being a part of this service the past four years. It’s been a great ride. I hope you’ve found it as useful as I’ve found it a pleasure to provide.

As for sunsetting plans, I intend to shut the service down after work on March 1. I own the domain until December of this year, so perhaps a spirited individual or team will contact me about continuing on. Drop me a note if you’re interested.

Please feel free to get a hold of me on Twitter, App.net, or email (see the About page).

-Thaddeus