Montgomery/I-25 ramp closure; landscaping along Tramway
AN UNLUCKY CLOVERLEAF HIT: Charles recently asked in an email about the “on-ramp to Interstate 25 southbound from Montgomery westbound. This cloverleaf ramp has been barricaded shut for over a week. It’s got nothing to do with the Water Authority’s valve replacement project. New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 has nothing posted on the website about this closure. … Pls advise.”
And Elizabeth Bayne emails, “The southbound ramp from Montgomery/ Montaño and I-25 has been closed for some time now. However, there does not appear to be anything else happening there. Is construction planned? When? Why? ... Do you have any information?” NMDOT does. Kimberly Gallegos, who handles information for the area NMDOT office, says, “A couple of weeks ago a big truck hit this overpass, underneath the bridge at Montgomery on I-25. NMDOT is in works on getting it fixed. With low temps, it has been hard to get this work done, but we are looking at getting it completed in the next few weeks. The clover leaf ramp along with one lane of I-25 will remain closed until repairs can be completed. Thank you for this inquiry!”
TRAMWAY LANDSCAPING IN WORKS:
Earlier this month, Jeff B. emailed, “A tip of the bicycle helmet to the (state) engineers and contractor for a great job paving and adding bicycle lanes on Tramway, much safer for all.” And he asks, “Curious, what is the project underway at the northeast corner at Tramway and Indian School Road?”
Landscaping tailored to the climate and the site.
Jessica Campbell, the marketing and communications coordinator for Albuquerque’s Parks and Recreation Department, says, “The Tramway and Indian School landscape improvements will extend 2.2 acres along the Tramway corridor, with a goal of re-vegetating and improving an area that lacked landscaping. An invasive, non-native tree called ‘Tree of Heaven’ had also taken root in this area and needed to be cleared. The landscape design that is underway incorporates a layer of wire mesh two feet below the surface to prevent new prairie dog colonies from popping up, and was specifically designed with the high desert climate of Albuquerque in mind — featuring water harvesting areas and incorporating colorful, droughttolerant native plant species that provide an important habitat for pollinators. Educational signs placed along the route will educate folks on prairie dog issues, the importance of controlling invasive tree species like Tree of Heaven, and the benefits native vegetation brings to our environment.”
SEWER LINE REPAIR CLOSED CONCORDIA/LAYTON:
Becky Gaynor asked in an email recently what was going on at this corner, as the road was ripped up.
David Morris, spokesman for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, says a “contractor bored through a 12-foot-deep, smalldiameter sewer line near this intersection, necessitating repairs that are now complete.”
COORS RAMP STRIPING NEEDS HIGHER TEMPS:
A caller recently asked about the missing exit ramp striping at eastbound Interstate 40.
Gallegos says the stripes “will be replaced . ... We are working with the contractor on when they will complete, hopefully with a little warmer temps.”
MARK CALENDARS FOR VIRTUAL CAR
SEAT INSPECTION: NMDOT and Safer New Mexico Now have free, COVID-safe appointments to ensure your car/booster seat is up to snuff and correctly installed.
Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month, and noon and 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month, nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will give parents and caregivers “one-on-one instruction on the proper selection, installation and use of their car seats.”
To sign up, you need a laptop or smartphone with video capabilities, a valid email address, access to the internet or Wi-Fi, and the ability to use Zoom through the app or website. You also need the car seat and its manual, your vehicle’s manual, the child’s exact height and weight, and the child with you for the appointment, if possible. A second person to assist with camera/video session is also helpful.
For information or to make an appointment, call 800-231-6145.