Weeding out the truth on Unser median landscaping
A LOOOONG MEDIAN PROJECT: Kay Thomason says in an email that “northward on Unser between Bob McCannon and St. Joseph is a median where for the last two years the city has worked extensively on the watering system and done major weeding.
“Each time they have weeded, the anticipation was that the city was going to properly landscape the median on that part of Unser, but they have let it return to weeds each time while continuing to work on the sprinkler system.” And that’s not all. Kay adds that “the sprinkler system is one that has a wide spray range, which would have one think they’re considering lawn/grass, but surely that cannot be correct, given the water needs of grass. Can you advise what the city is planning to do?”
Johnny Chandler, public information coordinator for the Department of Municipal Development, says “since 2003, the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Municipal Development has landscaped over 100 miles of medians and has just over 30 miles of medians still awaiting landscaping. Currently, we do not have any plans to landscape the median along Unser between Bob McCannon and St. Josephs. However, according to the Solid Waste Department, the sprinkler system along this stretch is for an upcoming wildflower project.
“For more info on the Wildflower Project, please call Diane Wikler with ABQ Solid Waste at 761-8134.” PRAISE FOR THE NEW AND
IMPROVED RIO GRANDE: Former City Councilor Alan Reed says in an email “the continued griping about these changes (reduced number of lanes, bike lanes, planned roundabout) to a street long suffering from poor traffic controls is baffling.”
He says “observations of occasional speeding or turning violations are not typical of the greatly improved traffic flow in our area. This treatment of Rio Grande has been a blessing for everyone. Traffic moves at the posted speed most of the time, rather than 15 to 30 miles per hour faster. One lane in each direction allows for safer access to traffic flows than the old two lanes, especially when many cars were traveling at 40 or 50 mph. The street also is quieter and doesn’t give the impression of a commuter expressway. The roundabout at Candelaria is going to be much safer and more attractive. It can be landscaped and include some artwork related to the Nature Center State Park on Candelaria.”
“The critics simply refuse to recognize that the upgrades to Rio Grande Boulevard are based on the best engineering experience in the world. We should congratulate our thoughtful and responsive City Councilor Isaac Benton.”
THAT’S A LOT OF DRIVING: C. Leonard emails “I don’t know if you have or can get this info, how many vehicles are there in U.S. and in the world.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, in 2016 there were 268,799,083 private, public and commercial automobiles, trucks and buses in the United States.
New Mexico had 661,197 automobiles; 6,283 buses; 1,094,604 trucks; and 61,877 motorcycles.
As for the world, according to Ward’s Auto there were more than 1 billion in 2014 — excluding off-road vehicles and heavy construction equipment. WHERE’S THE PRISON PICK-UP
DETAIL? And finally, a reader emails “you don’t have to drive very far in California before you see gangs of prisoners in orange jumpsuits picking up trash along the side of the road. Why can’t we do that here?!”
Kimberly Gallegos, who handles information for the New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 Office, says “NMDOT is working with the Corrections Department to get inmates back to litter pick up. In the meantime, our crews do pick up litter as a part of routine maintenance operations, and we also encourage the community to get involved in the Adopt-A-Highway program to keep New Mexico roads looking beautiful. Remember, littering is against the law!”
Editorial page editor D’Val Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M., 87103.