Signals, bike lanes and potholes on 550 questioned
READERS WANT THE 411 ON 550: And the New Mexico Department of Transportation has it. Here we go.
Lynnie Wienecke of Bernalillo emails U.S. “550 between Interstate 25 and (N.M.) 528 is in deplorable condition and deteriorating more daily with the heavy traffic and machinery associated with the ongoing construction in Bernalillo. What plans are there for at least patching the bigger holes? And am I hoping in vain that the whole stretch will be repaved once construction is completed?”
And Bryan Henderson adds “I commute daily to Santa Fe from Rio Rancho, and part of that journey involves U.S. 550 through Bernalillo. There’s been a lot of ongoing road construction through that section of 550, but one area that seems to be neglected is the stretch of road from 528 to the river. The westbound lanes are littered with potholes. They keep getting patched, but the patches quickly erode, and the potholes seem to come back even deeper than before. Now, the eastbound lanes are starting to get a few significant potholes, too.”
Bryan’s email says “patching obviously isn’t working beyond the very short-term. Are there any plans for a more permanent fix?”
NMDOT public information officer Melissa Dosher says “there are two types of projects that the NMDOT is in process of developing/designing for the segment of concern — mill and fill is designed, and reconstruction including widening is being considered.
“In the meanwhile,” she adds, “maintenance staff is patching the road as best as possible and practical until a construction project addresses the concerns.”
WHAT ABOUT THE SIGNALS? Meanwhile, Donn emails “I would like to see the signals cycle faster at the I-25/U.S. 550 interchange. The percentage of time each portion of the cycle is allotted is probably about right, but it is frustrating to sit there when no cars are passing through the intersection. The biggest problem is the lights often remain green for left turns onto I-25 long after all vehicles have gone through.”
NMDOT is on it. Dosher says “Traffic Signal Operations is currently coordinating an effort to improve the signal timing along U.S. 550. This intersection will be included in the analysis. The signal operation system would use adaptive signal control technology — a traffic management strategy in which traffic signal timing changes, or adapts, based on actual traffic demand — to address the corridor needs.”
To see such a system in action, drive Alameda east of the river from Loretta to Second, where Bernalillo County is using an adaptive signal system to keep traffic moving.
AND THE CYCLISTS? Meanwhile, Sandy says via email “I noticed that as new construction had been done on highway 550, they have put in bike lanes. Is there a plan to put the bike lanes all the way through Bernalillo and across the Rio Grande bridge, and if so, when?
Like so much, it depends on money.
Dosher says “we are evaluating options for what’s feasible financially and what we can fit into our existing right of way.”
MEANWHILE, ON N.M. 528: Sandy also asks about “the shoulders on 528. There has been quite a bit of buildup of debris, which causes cyclists to have to ride fairly close to the road. Is it possible to get the street sweepers out to clean that up, particularly from 550 to the Corrales road turn?”
Yes. Dosher says “thank you for letting us know. We have requested our sweepers to cover that area” now that they are done “helping District 5 with sweeping operations on the route of the pilgrimage to Chimayó.”
THERE’S EXTRA STRIPING: Charlesadams8 says “the right lane of N.M. 528 is still striped off going north at Venada Plaza Drive. I read in your column that it was an oversight and would be corrected. When?”
Dosher says “we will remove the hatching and re-stripe to open up that third through-lane. The temperatures have to be warm enough during the day and overnight in order for the striping to adhere properly. We anticipate this work to be complete in May, possibly sooner if the temperatures cooperate.”
LET’S DETOUR TO I-25: Jacob in the South Valley emails “why is a lane being added to 3½ miles of northand southbound I-25 between Rio Bravo and Broadway instead of the entire 5 miles? That is gonna create more of a problem than it might solve.”
Dosher explains “the lane is being left in place since it is where the detour will be (during a rebuild of this section of the interstate). It will not be put in use until the Rio Bravo Interchange project is built with widened bridges to connect to the third lane.”