Tag Archives: community impact

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 July 1, 2022

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CORRECTED CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: 7 BAR LOOP TO REOPEN WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2022; LA SIERRITA TO CLOSE SAME DAY
Update as of Friday, July 1, 2022

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES:
Crews were unable to open 7 Bar Loop on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Also, 7 Bar Loop will remain closed until Wednesday, July 6 and will reopen before crews close La Sierrita Road.
 
Crews will close La Sierrita from Westside Blvd to Amaranth Ave on Wednesday, July 6. La Sierrita is expected to be closed for about three (3) weeks, thru Wednesday, July 27, 2022. During this closure, residents will be able to use 7 Bar Loop as a detour (see first map below).

•  The sidewalk on the south side of Westside is CLOSED from Golf Course Rd to La Sierrita Rd through at least early July. Local residents can use 7 Bar Loop to La Sierrita as a detour.
•  Westbound traffic on Westside Blvd is reduced to one lane between NM 528 and Golf Course Rd.
•  Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd is reduced to one lane between Golf Course Rd and NM 528.
•  Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd has only one dedicated left-turn lane and one combination thru/right-turn lane at NM 528.
• When streets are open, traffic on La Sierrita Rd and 7 Bar Loop Rd is able to turn right and head eastbound on Westside Blvd, but is NOT able to turn left and head westbound on Westside Blvd. Motorists can access westbound Westside Blvd by taking 7-Bar Loop Rd south to Driftwood Ave, heading west on Driftwood Ave, then north on Golf Course Rd. Westbound motorists on Westside Blvd can access La Sierrita or 7 Bar Loop Rd via Golf Course Rd south to Driftwood Ave, then east on Driftwood Ave to 7 Bar Loop Rd.

Construction Update: Crews to Reopen 7 Bar Loop, Close La Sierrita Beginning June 29

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CONSTRUCTION CONTINUING ON WESTSIDE BLVD WIDENING PROJECT; CREWS TO REOPEN 7 BAR LOOP, THEN CLOSE LA SIERRITA FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022

Update as of Monday, June 27, 2022

Crews are scheduled to reopen 7 Bar Loop at Westside Blvd on Wednesday, June 29, then close La Sierrita from Westside Blvd to Amaranth Ave for three (3) weeks, from Wednesday, June 29-Wednesday, July 20, 2022. During this closure, residents will be able to use 7 Bar Loop as a detour (see first map below).

  • The sidewalk on the south side of Westside is CLOSED from Golf Course Rd to La Sierrita Rd through at least early July. Local residents can use 7 Bar Loop to La Sierrita as a detour.
  • Westbound traffic on Westside Blvd is reduced to one lane between NM 528 and Golf Course Rd.
  • Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd is reduced to one lane between Golf Course Rd and NM 528.
  • Eastbound traffic on Westside Blvd has only one dedicated left-turn lane and one combination thru/right-turn lane at NM 528.
  • Traffic on La Sierrita Rd and 7 Bar Loop Rd is able to turn right and head eastbound on Westside Blvd, but is NOT able to turn left and head westbound on Westside Blvd. Motorists can access westbound Westside Blvd by taking 7-Bar Loop Rd south to Driftwood Ave, heading west on Driftwood Ave, then north on Golf Course Rd. Westbound motorists on Westside Blvd can access La Sierrita or 7 Bar Loop Rd via Golf Course Rd south to Driftwood Ave, then east on Driftwood Ave to 7 Bar Loop Rd.

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 barring the Fourth of July holiday. Crews will not be working Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. All construction is weather permitting and subject to change without notice.

Final Redistricting Meeting Wednesday, June 29 and Public Encouraged to Participate

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The 2022 City Council Redistricting Committee will hold its final meeting on Wednesday, June 29. This is the public’s final opportunity to participate. The Redistricting Committee has been working since early March and is asking Albuquerque community members to engage in this important process. All information on the Redistricting Committee is on their webpage and contains all past meeting information, including videos of the meetings, presentation materials, concept maps that have been presented thus far, and the ability for community members to submit written public comments that can include map suggestions and information about their communities of interest. For more information on the Committee for upcoming details for future meetings, visit: www.cabq.gov/2022redistricting.