A dangerous intersection in the East Mountains will be redesigned into a roundabout to limit crashes and improve safety.
The intersection where Highway 14 meets Frost Road and the route up the ski area will be changed to a roundabout, according to a KRQE report.
“There were some crashes,” New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) Spokesperson Kimberly Gallegos said. “There have been some people just trying to go around it all together but ultimately there’s a lot of traffic up that way just from residents and also from the ski basin.”
The proposed roundabout should improve traffic to the surrounding communities including Cedar Crest, San Antonio, Sandia Park and Tijeras. NM 14 also runs through Turquoise Trail, which is a National Scenic Byway.
“There have been a lot of accidents with people trying to cut through and just not being able to see, so long term it’ll probably be good,” East Mountains resident Crystal Wayne told KRQE.
A study along with public input determined the roundabout was the best option.
“I go through here twice a day at least, walking my dog, and it’s a very precarious interchange no matter which way you’re going,” East Mountains resident Chuck Lockhart said.
The roundabout will include landscaping, sidewalks and improved crosswalks. The DOT said the project is 90% designed and will cost an estimated $9.2 million. It hopes to begin construction by the end of next year.
“In my opinion, this intersection is way overdue for an upgrade,” East Mountains resident Jerry Morgan said. “There are crashes at Frost and North-14 are a regular occurrence. We can hear them from our office. We’ll be sitting at our desk and hear the crash, and you go out there and make sure everyone’s okay.”