ES-CA Board members, Bob Gorrell, Chris Daul and Ed Majka, along with Ed Macy, met with NM Department of Transportation Section Three Engineer, Timothy Parker, on April 7, to continue discussions about residents’’ concerns with the I 25/Rt. 165/Rt. 550 interchange.
Mr. Parker noted that the contractor has over 200 items to correct/fix/finish and that the final paving and striping will take place in May. The delay until May for final paving and striping is so that work can be done at night to minimize traffic disruptions during daytime hours.
ES-CA had sent a letter to Mr. Parker, dated March 26, 2014, wherein we listed the issues of continuing concern. These include:
1. The elimination of the acceleration lane for eastbound Rt. 165, exiting northbound I 25.
2. The short merge lanes for the southbound entrance to I 25 from Rt. 165 westbound.
3. Lane markings on the bridge.
4. Difficulty in discerning the lane markings for the southbound I 25 exit onto Rt. 165 eastbound.
5. Heavy truck traffic from the frontage road north during peak commuting hours.
Mr. Parker said that NM DOT is sending our letter to an outside traffic engineer to review and prepare a report. We will have the opportunity to review the report, prior to its publication, and have additional input. While there is no guarantee that the review will recommend all of the changes we are advocating, NM DOT is listening to us and taking our concerns seriously. We have also been in communication with our State representatives, County representatives, County law enforcement, and Bernalillo officials. Mr. Parker also said that we should expect the review to be done within 60 days.
The final work and final paving and striping should be completed at or about the time the review is completed. We will then make a new assessment based upon the final work and the findings of the review.
We ask that you continue to provide us with your comments about the interchange.