Road Warrior: When will West Side weeds get whacked?

Sep. 18—West Side weed woes

West Side dwellers are happy to see the newly widened road between N.M. 528 and Golf Course. Bob Resch writes that the change "has been a blessing for us Westsiders."

But weed-filled medians have been throttling some of that enthusiasm.

"Unfortunately, it is becoming an eyesore," Resch continued. "Landscaping rocks were put in each shoulder lane without protective weed screening. The result: weeds growing through the rocks."

So when will the city update the landscape as well? Without getting too far into the weeds: a few months.

"We like to split up these projects to give people a break from constant construction," Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield told the Journal in an email.

But that break might be over soon. According to Mayfield, median landscaping is currently with the design team, and beautification should start by mid-December.

Hanging by a thread:

It's lights out for the very last wire-hanging traffic signal in Albuquerque.

The traffic signal has hung above Wyoming and Menaul for decades. But now the intersection — one of the city's largest and most complicated — will come into the 21st century, as the hanging signal is replaced with a mast arm.

And the city is hoping to make the intersection more pedestrian-friendly. Heading east, drivers on Menaul could make right-hand turns without stopping through Victor Circle. That part of the intersection will be permanently closed after there were three major pedestrian crashes in recent years.

"The free right-hand turn there never was good for pedestrians," Mayfield said. "There was no sidewalk and no crosswalk. Pedestrians or anyone on a bicycle had a very hard time crossing that part of the intersection."

Now, the intersection will work just like the other intersections in the city.

Construction on the intersection started last week and is expected to last into the middle of summer 2024.

PSA: Keep kids safe in cars:

Motor vehicle-related injuries are a leading cause of death for children under 15, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's why the New Mexico Department of Transportation's Traffic Safety Division is hosting car seat inspection clinics in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week.

Using the appropriate car seat can be lifesaving; according to NMDOT-TSD, car seats reduce the risk of death by about 71% for rear-facing infants and 54% for older children in front-facing seats. And, using a car seat reduces the risk of serious injury for children between the ages of 4 and 8, compared to a seat belt alone.

The inspection clinics will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, at several locations around the state. Child passenger safety technicians will help educate parents on how to pick, install and avoid common errors when it comes to car seats. If a technician finds a seat that is unsafe, replacement seats will be available if the child is present. A $25 fee may apply for a replacement.

Meetings are first-come, first-served; no appointment necessary.

Albuquerque (Northeast): Kohl's parking lot, 6800 Holly NE;

Albuquerque (Southeast): Bernalillo County Fire Department Station No. 38, 3610 Prince SE;

Carlsbad: Carlsbad Mall, 2302 W. Pierce Street;

Clovis: The Java Loft, 810 E. 21 Street;

Deming: Deming Fire Department, 309 S. Gold Avenue;

Farmington: J.C. Penney parking lot, Animas Valley Mall, 4601 E. Main Street;

Las Cruces: Doña Ana County Health Services Center, 1170 N. Solano Drive;

Rio Rancho: Target parking lot, 4225 Crestview Drive SE;

Santa Fe: J.C. Penney parking lot, Santa Fe Place Mall, 4250 Cerrillos Road.