On March 17 ES-CA representatives met with DOT’s District Three Engineer Tim Parker, his staff, Representative Smith, the project contract engineer Chris Baca, Lt. Stoyell from Bernalillo, Sandoval Undersheriff Wiese, and County Commission hopeful James Dominguez. Discussed were safety issues with both I-25 exit ramps to Placitas, and the on ramp from Placitas to southbound I25. It appears that all on and off ramps from Bernalillo work well. Additionally, the need for better signage and roadway stripping was discussed. Link to ES-CA to DOT Letter 26Mar2014.
Of primary concern remained the northbound I25 to 165 ramp. ESCA has received many complaints that merging to 165 in the new intersection is more dangerous than the one it replaced which had both rear end collisions and side swipes. ESCA stated strongly that it was a mistake for DOT to have eliminated the merge and acceleration lane and that this has left a dangerous intersection. Mr. Parker stated it was eliminated to make the intersection easier and safer for the gravel trucks to turn left to the frontage road. Mr. Parker pledged to engage an independent engineer to review and no timeline was promised. ESCA will remain engaged in this and the other intersection issues including understanding the basis of the past safety decisions and future safety recommendations of the independent engineer.
Next observed was the westbound 165 to southbound I25 intersection. Everyone observed that the turn is tight, and accordingly we observed that the gravel trucks start on the outside lane, but because of their length, that also take a third or more into the inside lane. If a car is there, it is trapped between the truck and the concrete abutment of the bridge. Undersheriff Wiese thought this condition particularly dangerous. Then there is the short merge lane where again if there a car on the left of the truck cannot get out of the way in time, it will be trapped between the truck and the concrete barrier.
It was then pointed out that the median on the west side of the intersection and between east and west lanes was almost impossible to discern by west bound 550 drivers if there are not cars queued to go north on I25. This issue, and the last problem, the southbound I25 exit and its hidden-until-the-last-moment exit lane to 165, DOT will investigate for signage or striping solutions.
In all, we were led to believe that the intersection problems are mostly, and simply, drivers needing to become accustomed to the new intersection. If indeed the problems extend beyond this, it will be ES-CA and community input that will resolve them.