NMDOT Tries To Keep Up With Fences

KEEP MY CATTLE OFF YOUR HIGHWAY: That’s all Eugene Abeyta wants.

He called to explain that he grazes cattle near Isleta Pueblo, and the animals sometimes get onto the interstate near Coors. He wants to know what the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s responsibility is, as he’s “been sued at least once” and feels NMDOT “responds after the fact.”

New Mexico is a fence-out state, meaning Eugene doesn’t have to corral his cattle; others have to restrict their roaming.

The New Mexico Livestock Board website explains that “by law, New Mexico is and always has been a fence-out state. A property owner has a responsibility to himself to protect his own property by fencing out whatever may damage or trespass on property.”

When it comes to highways, that property owner would be the public.

NMDOT says it works hard at protecting its roads from wandering livestock. District 3 spokesman Phil Gallegos says “your reader was most likely not the only one named in the lawsuit he mentioned. The NMDOT is quite often included in those types of lawsuits involving livestock and traffic.

“Often times the livestock wanders onto the highway because of an open gate or downed fence. Our maintenance personnel are always on the lookout for breaches in the fence and repair them as soon as they are seen — this is the proactive part.

“Obviously there is always some amount of time between the fence being down and it being repaired. I would beg to differ on the response time to repair a fence as being slow because it is a big priority for our maintenance crews. The NMDOT is keenly aware of the dangers of traffic/livestock collisions and our responsibility for the safety of the traveling public.”

NO CURBING READERS’ HELP: And after a reader asked for help in finding a reputable curb address painter, several readers have weighed in.

GM Nicholson emails “thanks for printing Angelica’s inquiry regarding re-painting curb numbers. I have also wondered who performs that service, and contacted the city’s 311 information line on Sept. 24th. Despite two follow-up calls, I have still not received a response. Given that curb numbers are required for emergency responders, I am disappointed that my inquiry was not given a higher priority.”

Readers to the rescue!

Richard called to say a quick Internet search with “curb numbers Albuquerque” was “easy as pie” and turned up local business Curbs by Curt.

Karen emails “a gentleman named Curt Smock did two sides of our driveway. He is fabulous! He does custom work as well as just the numbers. He did an oso (bear) and a Zia sign with the numbers between. He picked up several jobs in our neighborhood from people just passing by. He does Lobos, roadrunners, hummingbirds etc. His number is 505-234-0062.”

He may be swamped with calls — the voicemail at that number was full last week.

And a caller who did not give her name said she has “had really fantastic homeless people paint my curbs” complete with arty stencils, and that residents just need to “open their doors” and give these entrepreneurs a chance.

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 A4 of the Albuquerque Journal