Latest news with #NMDOT
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Road Warrior: Historic NM bridge closes due to erosion concerns; Montaño repaving work starts
Jun. 9—Happy Monday. The city of Albuquerque is reminding motorists that it has recently started a repaving project on Montaño NW from Guadalupe Trail to the Montaño bridge. Work on that "critical commuter road" will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily and is slated to be completed on July 10, Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said. HISTORIC BRIDGE SHUT DOWN: The Oñate Bridge in Española — built in 1941 — will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic indefinitely as engineers address concerns about riverbed erosion around one of the bridge's piers, New Mexico Department of Transportation spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Milhelcic said in a news release. The erosion could pose a risk during periods of high river flow, she said. "Given the potential for increased water levels and further scour during monsoon rains, this closure is a proactive first step to ensure everyone's safety," NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said in a statement. NMDOT began monitoring the bridge in 2019 after an inspection identified erosion at a pier. A January inspection revealed further deterioration, prompting the need for action, Bustos-Milhelcic said. The bridge will be shutdown "while further evaluations and potential mitigation efforts are explored," she said. Traffic will be routed through two bridges on either side of the Oñate Bridge on U.S. 285 and N.M. 584. ENHANCING TRAFFIC FLOW: Rio Bravo Boulevard and Second Street SW will be closed from June 18 to June 22 so traffic lanes can be added and railroad crossing upgrades can be made. As part of the Rio Bravo and Second Street Intersection Project, an additional lane will be added in each direction along Rio Bravo from Barr Canal to east of Second Street, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said. The railroad crossing will be replaced with a newly constructed, widened crossing designed to accommodate the expanded six-lane road. Due to the nature of the work, construction will take place 24 hours a day throughout the closure, Smith said. Traffic will be detoured from Second Street to Woodward Road. U.S. 60 REHABILITATION: Motorists heading down U.S. 60 outside Mountainair may be wondering about lane closures. NMDOT is in the midst of a $2.5 million rehabilitation project, which has caused the closures from milepost 195 (two miles west of Abo) to milepost 215 (three miles west of Willard). NMDOT is working on a Hot-In-Place Recycling project. According to the Federal Highway Administration, this consists of rehabilitating deteriorated asphalt pavements. "The asphalt is removed, crushed, rejuvenated, and replaced onto the roadway, restoring flexibility and quality of the asphalt material," NMDOT District 5 spokesperson Jim Murray said. "This process reduces environmental impacts, speeds up timelines and reduces the cost of roadway miles maintained." Work is expected to be finished on June 27, he said. "Please reduce your speed, obey traffic control devices and expect delays," Murray said. For updates, he said people can visit or call 511.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Multiple fires, NMDOT workers hit by distracted driver, Mountain storms, Hiker rescued, New Mexico vet program
Suspect killed, officer injured during traffic stop in Bloomfield Will Albuquerque's 'Rail Trail' Be A Thing? Body of airman recovered at Elephant Butte Lake, Kirtland Air Force Base says Man reflects on YouTube after family killed by younger brother in northeast Albuquerque When does monsoon season start in New Mexico? What you can expect this summer New Mexico veteran honored on 100th birthday [1] Multiple fires around New Mexico – Crews are battling multiple fires around the state. The Camp Fire is burning north of Ruidoso. The Paradise Fire is burning north of Quemado Lake in the Gila National Forest. The Flume Fire, is burning in the Flume Canyon area. For updates on all fires, visit the KRQE wildfires page. [2] NMDOT worker recalls being hit by distracted driver on I-25 – A New Mexico woman is facing charges after police say she slammed into two department of transportation workers on I-25. Two weeks ago, NMDOT worker Michael Sanchez says he and a crew were working on a strip of I-25 between Ribera and Bernal when he was hit by a car. The driver then sideswiped his partner. Despite going airborne, both men are okay. Police say the driver is facing charges for reckless driving. [3] Mountain storms and slightly hotter temperatures for most – Active weather will stick around this week with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms across parts of New Mexico. Moisture will continue to wash back and forth across eastern and central New Mexico this week. Westerly afternoon winds will push the moisture back into eastern parts of the state by the afternoon. [4] AFR responds to injured hiker at Elena Gallegos Open Space – Albuquerque Fire Rescue helped an injured hiker at the Pino Trail at the Elena Gallegos Open Space on Monday. The hiker sustained a leg injury and was unable to hike out. Crews hiked in, located the injured hiker, and transported them via a wheeled Stokes basket. [5] High school creates pre-veterinary program to encourage students to join industry – Hatch Valley Public Schools has created a pre-veterinary program for juniors and seniors. Their high school already had a veterinary science class, but as part of the new program, a working veterinarian will come teach students in a clinic setting. Local veterinarians say they are looking forward to seeing new talent in the industry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘It's always in the back of your mind': NMDOT worker recalls being hit by distracted driver on I-25
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – All it took was a few seconds for a driver to take her eyes off the road and slam into two New Mexico Department of Transportation workers on I-25 in San Miguel County. They both consider themselves beyond lucky they didn't lose their lives that day. 'It's always back there it's always in the back of your mind,' said Michael Sanchez, NMDOT worker. 'I tell the guys everyday the way we came into work today is the way we should go home this afternoon, didn't happen for us that day.' Two weeks ago, on May 12, Sanchez didn't get to finish his work day. While working on a strip of I-25 between Ribera and Bernal, behind cones and multiple work zone signs, Sanchez was hit by a car. Albuquerque Police release new information about death of 1-year-old 'One of the guys yelled 'watch it', any, by the time I heard that it was too late,' said Sanchez. 'All I remember is rolling and winding up underneath the cable line and the median.' While lying there in shock, Sanchez said all he could think about was the rest of his coworkers. 'I was asking the coworkers that were there who else got hit, who else got hit,' said Sanchez. Thirty yards away the car also sideswiped his partner who, after impact, rolled under the front end of a NMDOT vehicle. Witnesses told police both men were airborne but somehow they are doing okay. 'I was hit on this arm, the elbow and my right side leg, upper leg my thigh and I don't know what I hit here with my chest,' Sanchez explained. Sanchez said he hasn't been approved to go back to work yet, but he isn't sure he even wants to. 'We pass by where the accident happened and it's right away I get bad anxiety off of it so I don't know,' said Sanchez. Something his wife, Betsy, has also picked up on. 'His hands just start getting antsy his demeanor is different,' said Betsy. 'What this girl did affected not just him, but it affected all of us.' A police report filed by New Mexico State Police states the 20-year-old driver, Mistidawn Roybal, turned around to check on her dog when she hit the two men and an orange traffic control barrier. 'It hurts because I almost lost him that day and I don't want to lose him,' said Betsy. They hope Roybal learns from her actions. 'I don't want to see this happen again, it's crazy,' said Sanchez. Roybal is facing two petty misdemeanor charges and a this degree felony for reckless driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Road Warrior: Isleta Boulevard project to begin in fall; Beware of toll scam, NMDOT says
May 19—Happy Monday. People traveling down Isleta Boulevard could expect to see some work done in the coming months. Starting in the fall, phase one of the improvements project on Isleta will take place from Malpais to Luchetti SW and it will include new pavement and buffered bicycle lanes, landscaping and irrigation, and wider Americans with Disabilities Act sidewalks. The cost is about $11.5 million with $8 million coming from state coffers, $2.9 million from the federal government and the rest in county funds, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said in a news release. "This represents a substantial investment in the safety of our roadways and sidewalks," District 2 Commissioner Frank Baca said in a statement. "I would like to thank the state and federal governments for their contributions." Work is scheduled to take at least 18 months to complete, Smith said. I-25 REHABILITATION: Interstate 25 between Socorro and Truth or Consequences is getting a $15.9 million upgrade. On May 7, rehabilitation work began between mile markers 115 and 125 near San Antonio. The project is scheduled to be completed in 145 working days, New Mexico Department of Transportation District 1 spokeswoman Ami Evans said. Closures will take place between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. "Drivers can expect various daytime lane closures on both the northbound and southbound lanes as needed for milling and paving operations," she said. TOLL SCAM: NMDOT has issued a warning about a scam targeting people with fake toll road payment demands. "These scammers create a false sense of urgency by threatening license suspension or legal action to panic people into making these payments," NMDOT Secretary Ricky Serna said in a statement. "Remember, since New Mexico has no toll roads, any message claiming you owe toll fees in our state is 100% fraudulent." NMDOT suggests people do not click links in suspicious texts or emails and do not scan QR codes about toll payments, NMDOT spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Milhelcic said. EMS CRASHES: New Mexico had the third highest rate of fatal crashes involving emergency medical services personnel, 27.23 accidents per 100 EMS first responders in 2020, according to a recently published study by personal injury attorneys Foster Wallace. DANGEROUS LIGHTS: A Moriarty resident said they are concerned about two stop lights on N.M. 333, or Route 66, in Tijeras. When one of the lights turn green, drivers have to merge with traffic coming off the interstate causing people not to be able to "tell what lane they are in and they are coming too fast," they said. "The second light is also dangerous," they said. "Some people are supposed to yield, and sometimes they don't. I am so afraid of these lights that I try not to go to Albuquerque very often. "The whole section needs to be redone." Memorial Day weekend is coming up. First, a huge thank you to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Second, if anyone is hitting the road or has a fun Memorial Day weekend road trip memory, email ghasman@
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Safety concerns raised after sizeable hole seen on I-40 bridge near Santa Rosa
GUADALUPE COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A hole in the middle of a New Mexico interstate bridge has raised panic for some drivers and people near Santa Rosa, but the state says, while it might look bad, it's nothing big to worry about. New Mexico Department of Transportation crews learned about the bridge hole on Wednesday morning, after drivers called it in. Story continues below New Mexico Insiders: Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down Trending: Family of 105-year-old Bataan Death March survivor shares his story Crime: New Mexico correctional officer caught by husband for bringing drugs to inmate, court docs show Community: Poll: Where is the best place to go camping in New Mexico? One driver said they've seen this problem developing for weeks, with concrete falling on the road below. 'We had to address the issues because they hadn't worked on it for over three weeks, and enough was enough. It was a big ole hole. Someone was liable to get hurt,' shared Janie Yearley of Santa Rosa. The hole is on the I-40 west bridge in an area that is just west of Santa Rosa. Viewer video showed that you could see the hole through the bridge on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday afternoon, crews covered the open area of the bridge deck with old road signs. NMDOT said crews are now working on repairs that should take a few days, with lane closures in the meantime. Although the hole is sizeable, NMDOT says the overall bridge is in 'satisfactory condition' and that drivers shouldn't worry about it. 'The hole on the bridge, it's anywhere from an eight to a ten-inch hole. It's localized, so it's in a small area. You know, it's not the entire bridge structure that's crumbling here. But basically, it's just deterioration of the concrete spalling. It blew through the bridge deck,' said Travis Martinez, NMDOT Public Information Officer. NMDOT said maintenance crews expect to replace the blown-out concrete over the next four days. For now, crews have put a cone over the hole on the top of the bridge. While underneath it, they're using old signs to help reinforce repairs to the area. While the repairs take place, NMDOT said traffic on westbound I-40 will be down to one lane across that bridge just west of Santa Rosa. NMDOT said it considers this bridge hole uncommon, but something that can happen from time to time. If you spot a problem, they ask you to report it to the local district office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
