Driver Raises A Stink About I-40 Rest Stop

HOW LONG DO N.M. DRIVERS HAVE TO HOLD IT? More than 100 miles, if Jim’s experience is any indication.

He emails that “returning home from California last week, we planned to use the Interstate 40 rest stop just east of the Arizona border. But when we arrived, it was closed. So we told the kids they would have to wait 100 miles to the next stop, near Acomita.

“Access was unusually complicated, and when we finally got there, there were two buildings, one of which was closed. The other was disgusting. It stunk, even before we entered. Inside, it was even worse. For example, plumbing was held together with duct tape. What a way to greet visitors to New Mexico. We noticed a sign that said ‘N.M. State Patrol observes this site frequently.’ If that is true, I feel sorry for the troopers. Please ask the highway department what is going on.”

Just FYI, there are places to pee between the Arizona border and Acomita. Places in Gallup and Grants, Milan and Thoreau. Truck stops and fast-food joints. Bushes, even, for the extremely needy.

But for those dedicated to official rest stops, the closures and problems are centered around construction and vandalism.

Lisa Boyd Vega, assistant district engineer for the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s District 6 office, says “the Manuelito Rest Area near the Arizona state line is currently shut down due to a construction project where the department is upgrading the water and wastewater systems. It should be up and running soon.

“The Acoma Rest Area has been experiencing excessive vandalism where the flush valves on the toilets have been repeatedly stolen. In an attempt to keep these flush valves from being taken, the measures we took includes engraving and painting them.

“In addition, duct tape was placed over the area where the water is shut off. The vandals have been shutting off the water so they can steal the flush valve for resale. Finally, there is only one restroom left open at night to reduce the vandalism and subsequent repairs. We will look into methods of eliminating the unpleasant odor.”

LAWBREAKERS GIVE CYCLISTS A BAD REP: Jimmy passes on a tale of “the latest brain-dead bicyclist I keep encountering on Tramway NE. He travels south on Tramway between Indian School Road and Central around 8:30 a.m., but he rides in the left-hand traffic lane in spite of the fact that Tramway has bicycle lanes on both sides. As he approaches Central Avenue, he shoots across four lanes of traffic, makes a right turn onto Central and continues on west, all without stopping. I am really surprised some motorist hasn’t taken him out by now.”

Taking the driving lane over a bike lane is absolutely legal, and, for some cyclists safer. Shooting across traffic at rush hour to make a turn, not so much.

Jimmy adds “another thing I see more of now is groups of six or more bicyclists all bunched up together, riding up to three or four abreast and encroaching on the right-hand vehicle traffic lane.”

Again, a cyclist can take the driving lane. But according to state statute, cyclists are not allowed to ride “more than two abreast.”

BUT CYCLISTS HAVE RIGHTS, TOO: Ian Maddieson wants to point out “two misunderstandings” in a recent reader rant.

The reader pointed out “this city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to create bike trails throughout the area for (bicyclists). Why do you insist on using HIKING paths?” Ian rightly says in his email “in fact the city has no paths that are specifically for cyclists, nor any that are specifically for pedestrians — hikers, walkers, runners. It does have a network of paved multi-use trails. It also has a network of unpaved trails in its Open Space areas, which are also multi-use trails. Both types of trail are intended to be shared by those on foot and on bikes, not to mention equestrians. It is a pity that you did not point this out.”

BERNALILLO COUNTY SENIORS GET NEW BUSES: The county is spending $451,000 on seven new buses and a truck to get seniors to the county’s seven meal sites, according to a news release.

They will replace buses that are 10 years old.

Six of the buses, which each seat 17 passengers, are wheelchair accessible. The Chevrolet Tahoe 4×4 truck “will be used in the East Mountain community to deliver hot meals directly to senior citizens who are homebound,” the release says.

“The old buses that are still in good working condition will be reassigned within Bernalillo County, and the remaining buses will be sold via an online auction at www.publicsurplus.com.”

A list of Bernalillo County senior meal sites is at www.bernco.gov/SeniorMealSites.

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, N.M. 87103; or go to ABQjournal.com/traffic to read previous columns and join in the conversation.
— This article appeared on page D1 of the Albuquerque Journal