BernCo. seeks artists for Bridge Boulevard monument project

Bernalillo County is looking for artists to create outdoor "mosaic-style pieces" for the Bridge Boulevard Median Monuments Project.

The pieces will be located along Bridge between Coors and Luray SW in the South Valley. 

"These are intended to help reflect the identity, history and voices of the surrounding neighborhoods," Bernalillo County spokesperson Austin Munn said in a Feb. 2 news release. "... (The) artwork may incorporate neighborhood association names or other messages relevant to the local community and will be visible to both pedestrians and drivers."

The project costs $25,000 and it covers the artist’s stipend, materials and installation.

Selected artists, who must live in New Mexico, will collaborate with county employees and engage with community members during the design process "to ensure the work reflects the character and values of the Bridge Boulevard corridor," he said.

The submission deadline is Feb. 16.

TOLL SCAM: The New Mexico Department of Transportation recently issued a reminder that there are no toll roads in the state.

"Any message claiming you owe toll fees in our state is 100% fraudulent," NMDOT spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic said in a Feb. 2 news release.

The reminder comes after scammers have been sending messages claiming that “enforcement action” will begin after Feb. 4, she said.

These scams attempt to steal personal and financial information by:

• Sending text messages or emails demanding immediate toll payment.
• Making phone calls claiming toll violations with threats of penalties.
• Creating convincing fake websites that mimic official government pages.

To protect yourself, she said, people should:

• Ignore all unexpected messages about unpaid New Mexico toll roads, we have no toll roads.
• Do not click links in suspicious texts or emails about toll violations.
• Never scan QR codes from unexpected messages about toll payments.

TRAMWAY TRAFFIC LIGHTS: A reader named Heather said in an email last month the traffic light pattern at Tramway and Central has been "ineffective at best and dangerous at worst, especially for southbound travelers."

"When the light turns green for drivers exiting the freeway, the light at Central and Tramway immediately turns red, which causes a backup on southbound Tramway, which in turn strands folks on the on-ramp," she said. "Further, traffic backs up on Tramway well north of the I-40 onramp light for drivers trying to access areas south of Central, such as the Four Hills neighborhood, Smith’s or Sprouts, because the lights are timed so poorly.

"And we probably don't even need to discuss all the impatient and inconsiderate red light runners streaking through every red light in every direction at all three affected intersections, or the folks who cannot understand the purpose of dotted lines in the turn lanes."

NMDOT spokesperson Kim Gallegos said an ongoing Tramway study is looking at issues like signal timing and traffic patterns.

"As part of that effort, signal timing adjustments may occur as data is collected and reviewed to access how traffic is moving through the interchange and adjacent intersections," Gallegos said. "Any timing changes are monitored and adjustments are made as needed to address congestion, queuing and safety concerns.

"... We appreciate the public's patience during this evaluation period and encourage continued reporting of concerns so they can be considered as part of the ongoing review."

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.