Road Warrior: ABQ prepares for upcoming winter season; BernCo closes lane on Rio Bravo

A recent AAA New Mexico forecast projects 6.3 million people in the Mountain Region, which includes New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, will be hitting the road between Tuesday and Dec. 1.

For more on this year’s Thanksgiving travel, check out the story my colleague Hannah Garcia wrote in The Sunday Journal.

‘SAFETY OVER SCHEDULE’: As travelers prepare to see loved ones, the city of Albuquerque is gearing up for winter.

“Our shelters are ready to accept anyone who needs help, our road crews are prepared to keep our streets safe, and our first responders are as prepared as ever to react to dangerous conditions,” Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement on Thursday.

During a storm, the city can activate up to 74 people and 42 trucks to plow and salt the roads. It can also pretreat roads using brine, a salty solution, that prevents overnight freezing on bridges and hills, DMD spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release.

“When you see our trucks, give them 50 feet spacing and let them do their job(s),” said Fred Montoya, city street operations and maintenance superintendent, during a Thursday news conference. “ ... You know they’ll be out there at night and in the cold, fighting these storms.”

Montoya added, “In (the DMD), we call ourselves, ‘Silent first responders.’ That’s because we are first on the scene when the weather is here for downed trees and also debris, and we (are) also always ready to support APD (Albuquerque Police Department) and AFR (Albuquerque Fire Rescue) whenever they need us.”

For those who may be taking public transportation this winter, Transit Director Leslie Keener said the city will prioritize “safety over schedule.”

“Our top priority is keeping our riders and staff safe, which means there may be delays or a temporary suspension of transit service as needed during severe weather,” she said. “We encourage riders to stay informed by checking our website, social media channels, transit app, and local news before heading out.”

LANE CLOSURE: Eastbound Rio Bravo Boulevard near the Second Street intersection has been reduced to one lane so crews can replace deteriorated concrete, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said in a news release on Wednesday.

The closure is expected to last until Dec. 11, she said.

The work is part of the Rio Bravo and Second Street intersection project that is expected to be completed in May 2026.

TRAFFIC FATALITIES: According to data from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and University of New Mexico, there were 20 traffic fatalities across the state in October. This marks about a 31% decrease from September, 29.

The counties with the highest number of traffic fatalities last month were Bernalillo and Doña Ana with three apiece.

‘TAKE A RIDE’: Bernalillo County is offering safe ride options for Thanksgiving weekend.

From 10 a.m. Wednesday until 2 a.m. Dec. 1, Bernalillo, Sandoval and Santa Fe county residents can use Uber to get discounted rides, Smith said.

Riders can enter code NMTURKEY25 to receive up to $10 off two trips. The offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Credits apply to rides only and don’t cover tips, she said.

GIVING THANKS: There are many things to be thankful for this year: good health, the ability to hit the road and having learned from talented people like the late Ollie Reed Jr.

It has been about a year since the Journal lost this talented man.

He and I would shoot the bull about our travels across the country, especially New Mexico, and our stories.

I still miss him.

On a final note, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.