Road Warrior: Raising work zone awareness; addressing traffic concerns on Tramway and Paseo

Happy Monday.

Monday kicks off National Work Zone Awareness Week.

This year’s theme is, “Respect the zone so we all get home.”

“The goal is to remind drivers to pay attention as they approach and navigate through work zones so both motorists and roadway workers remain safe,” New Mexico Department of Transportation spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic said.

Many NMDOT offices will have remembrance cones in their lobbies honoring highway workers who have lost their lives.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, 891 people died in work zones in 2022, including 742 drivers and passengers.

“Work zones play a key role in maintaining and upgrading our nation’s roadways,” according to FHWA. “Unfortunately, daily changes in traffic patterns, narrowed rights-of-way and other construction activities often create a combination of factors resulting in crashes, injuries and fatalities.”

‘FRUSTRATION’: Reader Edward Heimann asked: Why can’t the southbound right turn lane by Tramway and Paseo del Norte be stripped then re-opened?

Earlier in the year, NMDOT started a project that includes the installation of a new traffic signal at Paseo and Tramway.

The project will also include adding pedestrian access ramps and changes to turning movements. During the work, one lane will be open in both directions.

Depending on the time of day, Heimann said, it can take two light changes at Live Oak and three or more at Paseo to get through the construction, “causing enormous expenses” to NMDOT for signs and orange barrels. For motorists, he said, it means “wasted gas and battery usage and frustration, while their cars are mostly idling.”

The contractor is working on completing the striping for the area, NMDOT spokesperson Kim Gallegos said. Once that is finished and the final traffic configuration is in place, the area will be opened, she said.

“Due to the phased nature of the project, we must ensure that all safety measures are in place and that the area is safe for the traveling public before opening it to traffic,” Gallegos said.

TRAFFIC FATALITIES: Data from NMDOT and the University of New Mexico showed there were 28 traffic fatalities in March, three less than in February.

Of the 28, nine, or 32%, were in Bernalillo County. The next highest number was three in Eddy and Luna counties.

‘IN NEED OF TLC’: Reader Dean Davidge wanted to know what is happening with the Tijeras Arroyo bridges on Interstate 40.

NMDOT crews recently made some “interim fixes” such as repairing deterioration on girders and pier caps and replacing joints on the deck, Gallegos said.

The bridges will be replaced “in the near future,” she added, though she was not sure of the timeline.

“These bridges are not considered unsafe, they are just old and in need of TLC,” Gallegos said.

HAPPY RETIREMENT: After 46½ years, NMDOT District 4 employee John Trujillo is retiring. Trujillo served in various roles including management analyst for the maintenance department.

He was “always helpful and willing to share his knowledge with employees,” District 4 spokesperson Travis Martinez said in an email.

“Always staying positive, John’s smile and comments brightened any room he entered,” Martinez said. “The entire NMDOT family wishes John a happy retirement.”

District 4 comprises of seven counties including San Miguel, Mora and Quay.