Category Archives: Infrastructure

Updates on Surrounding Development Projects

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Westside Boulevard Widening

1. LED lights like those installed on Westside almost always result in complaints about how bright they are.  They have been tested using a gun-like device that measures light intensity and none have recorded a measurement that exceeded standards.         
Deflectors – there is discussion about putting deflectors on the lights that will result in the light just hitting the base of the wall.  They are trying to determine the size and angle of deflectors that would result in limiting the light to just Westside and not the adjoining backyards/homes.

2. The contractor has placed black weed barrier in between the sidewalk and the street.  This should really reduce the weed problem in the future. The barrier was put in at the contractor’s expense; it was not a requirement in the city contract.             
Stones will eventually be placed over the weed barrier.  The contractor is seeking city approval for the size of the stone to be used.  City has not yet approved the stone size.

  3. There is a large box being installed at the west side of Sierrita and Westside.  This will be the controller for the irrigation in the median.

  4. Installation of the sidewalk has exposed the foundation of our wall in some locations.  If it remained exposed, it could undermine the wall’s foundation.  The contractor has put in a small wall and filling the area between the new wall and our HOA wall with concrete to protect our wall’s foundation.  It extends about 250 feet west from Sierrita.

5.  Median plantings – unknown when they will be planted.  Our city rep is pushing to have the plantings done within 2 weeks following completion of the road, but there is some question whether she can come up with the money.  If the money is not available now, it could take as long as 2-years for the money to become available.  

Wintergreen Apartments

The construction is proceeding as planned. The project is scheduled to be completed in October 2023.

New Car Wash

A car wash will be going in on Golf Course just north of the Wintergreen Apartments.

Circle K on Southeast Corner of Golf Course and Westside

Currently the project design for the Circle K project is on HOLD. When the project moves forward the goal is to be under construction by late summer 2023. The intent is to proceed with a Circle K. It is unknown how long the hold will be for.

Westside Boulevard Construction Update September 30th

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Westside Blvd. to have one lane closed westbound from west of Grande Blvd to Golf Course Road; eastbound to have alternating, occasional right lane closures after 8:30 a.m. during Balloon Fiesta
Update as of Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

CONTACTS for questions and concerns or to sign up for email updates on the project:
Patti Watson, 505-245-3134 office; 505-269-9691 cell; pattiw@cwastrategic.com
Ty Stevers, 505-245-3138 office; 505-417-9989 cell; tys@cwastrategic.com
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In order to provide as much access as possible for Balloon Fiesta traffic, beginning Saturday, Oct. 1 and lasting through Sunday, Oct. 9, the following traffic impacts will be in place:

. Westbound traffic on Westside Blvd. will be reduced to one lane from west of Grande Blvd. (across from La Sierrita) to Golf Course Road

. Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd. will be reduced to one thru lane and one dedicated right turn lane to head southbound on Golf Course Road just west of Golf Course Road.

. Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd. may have occasional, alternating right lane closures during the daytime after 9:30 a.m.   

Motorists traveling in this area should use extra caution and obey posted speed limits.
Regular work hours are Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends if needed. Some Saturday work is planned for the next few weeks. All construction is weather permitting and subject to change without notice.

Update on Westside Project Seven Bar North Residents’ Concerns

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Responses from Patti Watson, CWA Strategic Communications, regarding issues raised by Seven Bar North Residents

Lighting
In terms of lighting, Westside Blvd. has new lighting that was installed per the plan and that is based on the requirements of this type of urban roadway to provide safety and visibility for motorists and pedestrians. We cannot remove or change any of the lighting, however we do recognize it has increased “scatter” into nearby properties on the south side of the roadway. Once the project is complete (likely in October or November 2022), we will investigate the possibility of adding front-facing light shields to the lighting in the median and house-side light shields to the lighting on the sidewalk on the south side of the street. These shields would better focus the lighting and reduce the amount that shines into back yards.

Speed Limits
The speed limit signs are currently covered because construction is still taking place. They will be uncovered when construction is completed and the speed limit will be 35 miles per hour. If speeding is a problem we will investigate available mitigation measures (slow down, speed monitoring etc.). As you know speeding and drag racing are a problem throughout Albuquerque. We will consult with the Albuquerque Police Department to see what measures can be taken (targeted ticketing, etc.) to address this issue.

Noise
We recognize that this project may have an impact on sound/noise levels on Westside Blvd. After construction is completed and traffic has had time to normalize, estimated to be about six to 12 months, plans are to do another sound/noise study and determine whether a sound wall or other mitigation measures are needed.

Left Turn from Westside onto Grande
As shown on the website (www.westsidewidening.com) the final plans for the project always included a left-turn for eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd. to access Grande via a dedicated turn bay. That access was also included in the existing design (see drawings).

A traffic signal cannot be installed at the intersection of Westside and Grande because that intersection is too close to the intersection of Westside and NM 528. Installing traffic signals at the intersections of Westside and 7-Bar Loop and Westside and La Sierrita would also not be feasible because this entire stretch of roadway is only 0.85 miles. Both intersections are too close to the intersections that already have traffic signals – Westside and Golf Course and Westside and NM 528.

Home Values
Because some of your residences back up to the roadway (Westside Blvd.) and have the protection of the back wall, hopefully your home values will not be impacted. As stated above, the City will conduct a noise/sound evaluation and work with the neighborhood to develop a plan to reduce any adverse noise impacts. We encourage you to participate in that process.

We recognize that construction has taken a long time and that not every aspect of the project will be ideal for every resident. We would like to encourage everyone to see how the roadway functions once all construction is completed and as referenced above, traffic has a chance to normalize. At that time, we will be happy to work with all residents to consider what mitigations are needed.

CONTACTS for questions and concerns or to sign up for email updates on the project:
Patti Watson, 505-245-3134 office; 505-269-9691 cell; pattiw@cwastrategic.com
Ty Stevers, 505-245-3138 office; 505-417-9989 cell; tys@cwastrategic.com

Westside Project Update September 21st

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Westside Blvd. to have various Eastbound and Westbound lane closures and Golf Course Road to have various Northbound and Southbound right lane closures as crews continue to work on final project construction thru October
Update as of Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022

CONTACTS for questions and concerns or to sign up for email updates on the project:
Patti Watson, 505-245-3134 office; 505-269-9691 cell; pattiw@cwastrategic.com
Ty Stevers, 505-245-3138 office; 505-417-9989 cell; tys@cwastrategic.com

ONGOING
Crews are continuing work on lighting, paving, roadway striping, trail gravel, sidewalks and miscellaneous construction on this project, with construction expected to be substantially complete by early October.

New Traffic Impacts:
Because crews are repaving a crosswalk area and the left-hand turn lane has been closed, no left hand turns are permitted for traffic headed eastbound on Westside Blvd. to access northbound Golf Course Road through early October.

Ongoing Traffic Impacts:
There are various eastbound and westbound lane closures on Westside Blvd. but at least one (1) lane will be open in each direction at all times.
There are various right lane closures on northbound and southbound Golf Course Road north and south of Westside Blvd.
Regular work hours are Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends if needed. Some Saturday work is planned for the next few weeks. All construction is weather permitting and subject to change without notice.

Westside Boulevard Construction Update September 9th

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Westside Blvd. to have various Eastbound and Westbound lane closures and Golf Course Road to have various Northbound and Southbound right lane closures as crews continue to work on final project construction in September
Update as of Friday, Sept. 9, 2022

ONGOING
Crews are scheduled to continue working on lighting, paving, roadway striping, trail gravel, sidewalks and miscellaneous construction on this project, with construction expected to be substantially complete by the end of September.
 
Ongoing Traffic Impacts
• There are various eastbound and northbound lane closures on Westside Blvd. but at least one (1) lane will be open in each direction at all times.
 
• There are various right lane closures on northbound and southbound Golf Course Road north and south of Westside Blvd.
Regular work hours are Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends if needed. Saturday work is planned for the next few weeks. All construction is weather permitting and subject to change without notice.
CONTACTS for questions and concerns or to sign up for email updates on the project:
Patti Watson, 505-245-3134 office; 505-269-9691 cell; pattiw@cwastrategic.com
Ty Stevers, 505-245-3138 office; 505-417-9989 cell; tys@cwastrategic.com