A plan to make a busy Tramway corridor near Central safer has resulted in increased traffic backups and angry motorists.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) installed delineators on Sept. 12 to address confusion by drivers, with some not knowing which lane to take. The DOT also installed a sign and reduced the previous four lanes on the southbound Tramway to three. But the attempted improvements have some drivers complaining the situation is worse than before.
“The reason that this project was done was actually in response to complaints that we were receiving at the district and also observations that we were making out in the field,” Kimberly Gallegos, NMDOT District 3 spokesperson, told KRQE recently.
Gallegos noted that prior to the barriers being installed drivers were cutting over at the last minute to make the left turn onto Central, causing a safety issue.
“It causes safety issues and concerns for crashes,” she said. “I know that some people try to catch that tail end and I would just proceed with caution if you can wait for another cycle of the light we encourage you to do that. It’s not worth risking yours or anyone else’s safety.”
The NMDOT will collaborate with Albuquerque’s Department of Municipal Development on potentially lengthening traffic signals and reducing future backups. Gallegos said the department is also waiting on funding to work on a traffic study along Tramway for future improvements.