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Opinion editorials Handling of Pit Appeal Calls for a Time-Out |
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opinion editorialsThis editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by editorial page staff and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers
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Thursday, November 05, 2009
I-40 Sequel a Better Script
The second time the New Mexico Department of Transportation decided to close Interstate 40 just west of town for a movie shoot, it had a much better plan than the first time around. It was no “The Next Karate Kid.” Or “Teen Wolf Too.” Or “Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha' Hood.”The second closure, for the Robert Downey Jr. film “Due Date,” was better thought out because it delivered what the original didn't.
NMDOT closed the eastbound lanes from Paseo del Volcan to 98th Street between 7 p.m. Oct. 24 and 5 a.m. Oct. 25. With no realistic detour and heavy Saturday night truck/post-casino-boxing-match traffic, the backup lasted into the wee hours.
But to give producers credit where it's due, NMDOT officials came up with an improved Plan B so the film crew could call “it's a wrap” with the shots it needed. Wednesday night featured a familiar closure just east of the original site that's worked for construction projects, a later start time on a weeknight with less traffic, and a decent detour with traffic control and signals adjusted to keep motorists moving.
Critics are questioning whether federal interstates should be closed for events other than construction or accidents. But if the state is going to shut freeways for movie projects, this is the way to get a good review.
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