Aug. 11—Classes are back in session, which means it is time for a reminder about driving in school zones and around school buses.
According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, people should:
Slow down in school zones where speed limits tend to be 5-10 mph below the posted speed limit.Stop behind a school bus with flashing lights. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children entering or exiting the bus.Stop for crossing guards holding a stop sign.Watch for children darting out from between parked cars or from school buses.Yield to pedestrians walking on a crosswalk.Don’t stop on a marked crosswalk or impede a pedestrian’s pathway at a marked intersection.
OVERSIGHT DISCOVERY: Reader Patricia Tillery said Bernalillo County neglected to put in a right-turn traffic light arrow at Bridge and Isleta when it recently upgraded the intersection.
“This can impede traffic flow for the long-suffering people that must travel that intersection,” she said.
There were no plans to install the arrow, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said, but “once the oversight was discovered,” a project consultant decided to add one.
The traffic parts were ordered and should take several weeks to arrive. After that, the light will be installed then reprogrammed, Smith said.
FUTURE OF BROADWAY: The city of Albuquerque will host a public meeting to discuss the future of Broadway Boulevard.
During the meeting, people will learn about potential plans to modify Broadway to accommodate bicycle lanes, enhance pedestrian infrastructure and incorporate new traffic technology, city Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said.
The meeting will take place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team (WESST) headquarters, 609 Broadway NE.
SEWER REHAB: Second Street southbound between Stover and Atlantic SW — including the southbound sidewalk and bike lane — is closed due to a sewer rehabilitation project.
The closure started on Wednesday. Work is scheduled to be finished on Aug. 22, according to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.
During the project, there will be no parking permitted and access in and out of homes and businesses will be maintained.
Water and sewer services are not expected to be interrupted, according to the water utility authority.
USING TURN SIGNALS: The New Mexico Department of Transportation recently issued a reminder regarding turn signals.
“There are many opportunities to use your blinker, whether you’re making any turn onto another roadway, into another lane, or into a parking stall, it lets other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians know your intentions,” they said in a social media post.
According to NMDOT, people should use the signal at least 100-500 feet before making a turn or merging into another lane.
Finally, it has been a year since taking over as Road Warrior. It has been an honor so far. If you have any questions or suggestions related to roads in Albuquerque and across the state, email me at ghasman@abqjournal.com.