More Rio Grande/Montaño work ahead
WHERE’S THE REST OF THE RIO GRANDE/ MONTAÑO PAVING? Ilse Gay emails, “We in the North Valley were all really happy to see Rio Grande Boulevard and Montaño repaved at long last, but both streets were only partially paved even though the remain(ing) pavements on both streets badly need repaving. What’s the story on the incomplete paving jobs? Hope you can get an answer!”
Johnny Chandler, who handles information for the city of Albuquerque’s Department of Municipal Development, says, “More paving is on the way for the areas in question.”
“Currently the schedule for additional work on Rio Grande and Montaño is as follows: Rio Grande — Central to I-40 summer/fall 2019; Rio Grande — Candelaria to Griegos summer/fall 2019; and
Montaño — Guadalupe Trail to the Montaño Bridge summer/fall 2020.
“These dates are always subject to change based on the deterioration of other roads, due to weather, for example.”
AND THE MONTAÑO SIGNS? Carl Smith “came across the Rio on the Montaño Bridge recently and noted that the metal placard that was on the west end of the bridge is no longer there. It was the one with the then mayor’s name and council member’s names. Like it had been pried off.” His email continues: “And the nature signs that had been on the three river viewing area have been removed. Vandals or something the city did?” For the plaque, smart money’s on the former. Tanya Lenti of the city’s Cultural Services Department says, “Missing plaques on the Montaño bridge came to our attention (in early December). The Cultural Services Department’s Public Art Urban Enhancement Division did a site visit and determined a dozen missing plaques were property of Public Art. We can’t assume they were stolen, but we did not remove them.”
As for the viewing areas, stay tuned. Lenti says, “The nature signs along the trails are not part of Public Art. We’re taking this as an opportunity to remind the community that they can always call 311 when they see something that doesn’t seem right.” A REMINDER TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESS: Mike emails, “Maybe you can put a reminder in one of your upcoming columns about the duty of people involved in accidents, or the towing companies as relevant, to remove accident debris — glass, sharp metal, plastic, etc. — from the road.”
Because, Mike says, “I grew up in Michigan and the amount of post-accident debris I sometimes see (here) in the median, etc., is often alarming.”
He shares New Mexico statute 66-7-364 (C), which states:
“A person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from the vehicle.”
Mike adds, “I have seen, particularly in the Rio Rancho/Bernalillo/U.S. 550 area, a lot of sharp plastic/glass debris in the road or in the center median, which can pose a real risk to vehicle tires — especially when the median is also a left turn lane, etc. I have communicated these concerns to the Rio Rancho Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bernalillo Police Department, by email. A few of them responded and said they would remind the towing companies. But it may be good to get a general reminder out there, for the general public too, as towing companies or police may not always respond. The law applies to anyone removing their vehicle.”
In a previous column both the Albuquerque Police Department and the city of Albuquerque put crash cleanup responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the tow companies that respond. But if the vehicle(s) were not towed and the drivers didn’t pick up their bumpers or have a broom handy, the city advised motorists to call 311 or the appropriate street maintenance department to take care of it.
WHERE DID THOSE COOL LIGHTS ON SAN PEDRO
COME FROM? Jake Jones asks in an email, “Who funded the unique street lights on San Pedro between Indian School and Lomas? Are there plans to replace more areas with these elegant but highly functional lamps?”
Chandler says, “The unique lights between Indian School and Lomas on San Pedro was part of a project started and funded by City Councilor Diane Gibson. These new decorative light poles were installed over a year ago.”