Updated Unser Makes A Difference in Traffic

MORE ON THE NW UNSER CONNECTION: Now that southbound Unser no longer stops at Paradise, and northbound Unser no longer stops at Paseo, Mike Snyder emails a commuter update.

“This past Monday morning around 7:15 a.m., traffic on Universe between Paradise and Paseo was noticeably lighter than last week. And it moved steadily along on Paseo. There were a lot more cars using Unser as well.”

Myrna says via email she “did try new Unser northbound and I LOVE IT. Talk about making a ‘beeline.’ This is fantastic.”

And Carl emails “I did not drive it, but the traffic on Universe was definitely reduced during rush hour. There is usually a backup at Paseo, but there was not one.”

STOP TURNING LEFT ONTO EL PUEBLO: Tim asks “would you make a point to mention that drivers should not be turning left from Second Street to El Pueblo from the center lane? There was a reason why the barrier was put up between the center lane and the left-turn lane. It is called safety!

“Drivers come off Paseo and think they can turn left from the center lane,” his email continues, “and it just plugs up traffic, plus it is dangerous. More inconsiderate ABQ drivers!”

So here’s the reminder from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, which installed white lane delineators to block the left turns. Last year Phil Gallegos, who handles information for the District 3 Office, said the goal was to get drivers “to avoid the nasty lane change required when traveling Paseo del Norte eastbound to Second Street southbound and then turning east onto El Pueblo. The merge/lane change distance from Second Street to El Pueblo is woefully inadequate and discouraged utilizing signage and traffic delineators.”

But he acknowledged that despite NMDOT’s best efforts, “motorists still attempt the lane change to El Pueblo in spite of these measures.”

FLASHING SIGNAL WON’T STOP JAYWALKING STUDENTS: After a news report last week by Journal staff writer Elaine D. Briseño that Eagle Ridge Middle School students are risking life and limb crossing Northern Boulevard and dodging speeding drivers — and school officials are seeking a $10,000 flashing light — Pam S. called.

The city had originally placed flashing beacons at the site, but removed them last year because “students were not crossing at this location” and re-installed them at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, which spokesman Peter Wells said has more pedestrian traffic. Wells said last week the city will consider re-installing the light “if the school district paid for half the cost to purchase and install flashers for this location.”

Pam’s take is it looks like there’s plenty of responsibility to go around — not only drivers but “kids jaywalking. That’s why it’s a dual problem.”

Assistant editorial page editor D’Val Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays and West Siders and Rio Ranchoans on Thursdays. Reach her at 823-3858; road@abqjournal.com; P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103; or go to ABQjournal.com/traffic to read previous columns and join in the conversation.
— This article appeared on page 1 of the West Side Journal