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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Breaks on I-40 Deserve a Look



      Sometimes there is a fine line between safety and convenience. And sometimes convenience can aid safety.
       Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher is pushing the state Department of Transportation to rethink the placement of safety barriers between the westbound and eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 from Tijeras and Carnuel.
       When that stretch of the freeway was rebuilt two years ago, only one break in the barriers was included, and that break is a little narrow for emergency vehicles. Brasher contends more breaks are needed for public safety. In addition, he thinks the new breaks could be used to redirect traffic in the case of accidents that cause the freeway to be closed. As an example, Brasher points to the closure of eastbound lanes for three hours last August after a crash, turning the freeway into a parking lot.
       Brasher argues that new breaks in the barriers could have locked gates so their use is controlled by law enforcement.
       So far the commissioner hasn't had much luck in convincing the state to make the changes, but he seems to be undaunted.
       The DOT should give Brasher's idea a long look. If it needs to be studied, then DOT should make an informed decision. Too many East Mountains and Estancia Valley residents rely on the interstate for it to be closed down after a crash.
   

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