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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Proposal Targets Canyon Congestion

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
    Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher continues to be concerned about Interstate 40 in Tijeras canyon looking like a parking lot when the freeway has to be closed.
    Periodic emergency closures of the freeway have been an issue for motorists for a number of years. But a five-car wreck last August that had I-40 closed for several hours has spurred a long-term effort to try and prevent extensive delays and clogged roadways in the future.
    Many ideas have been implemented or are being worked on, such as gates to close freeway onramps, ways to move traffic along using traffic signals and cameras.
    But Brasher is crusading to change the barriers lining the interstate's median from near the eastern edge of Albuquerque into Tijeras.
    Brasher said there simply aren't enough places to turn around, which may mean, if traffic is brought to a standstill, it will be difficult to get the cars off the freeway.
    "This is a critical issue," Brasher said. "They need to be strident in making sure that they make the changes so we don't have traffic at a standstill through the canyon."
    Not only that, but the only break in the median, which is near the bridge at Coyote Springs Road west of Tijeras, is too narrow for semis or for some emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, Brasher argued.
    On Monday Brasher met with officials from Bernalillo County's Office of Emergency Management. He said they were in agreement about the need for a place to turn traffic around.
    Calls to the office were not returned in time for publication.
    For the past few months, Brasher said he has sent letters to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, but his concerns have not yet been addressed, he said.
    "I'm disappointed that it takes so long to get a response from the highway department," he said.