As the new home of NMPIRG's environmental work,
Environment New Mexico can be contacted with any questions regarding this
news release.
The
New Mexico Public Interest Research Group (NMPIRG) along with
neighborhood associations and members of the medical community are
concerned that several important issues are not being addressed in the
planning of the Big I reconstruction project. Huge unanswered questions
have been raised by the public regarding air quality, traffic
management, noise reduction, and effects on area commuters.
"The
Big I Reconstruction Project, the largest highway project in the
history of New Mexico with a price tag of $250 million, is an extremely
important project for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area. We are
concerned that this project is not being managed properly. It is being
fast tracked without adequately addressing public concerns," declared
Randy Moorman, an environmental advocate with NMPIRG. "The community
needs to know and be actively involved in how the Big I project affects
the city's air quality, neighborhood traffic and safety, noise
reduction, and our daily commutes to work, home, and school. The Big I
team and the New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department has not
been very forthcoming in providing this information to the public. The
state will be going to bid on the project November 19th after which it
will be more costly to make changes to the plans. This project will
have tremendous effects on our daily lives for the next two years and
beyond," added Moorman.
No
analysis or modeling has been done to determine the effects of the Big
I Project on the City of Albuquerque's air quality during construction.
With increased congestion during construction there is a good chance
that the city could violate EPA standards for carbon monoxide and
ozone. If the city does violate EPA standards the city could lose a
substantial amount of federal funding.
"The
city and state are not prepared with a Îreal' plan when their traffic
management plan fails because it is based on a 20% decrease in
interstate traffic during construction. That percentage is based on
voluntary compliance on the part of local businesses. The planners can
reduce traffic in their model, but what incentives are there to make it
happen? This lack of planning has serious consequences on our air
quality and the safety
of
our neighborhoods. People trying to get to work and avoid the
congestion on the interstate will take alternative routes. When
accidents occur, traffic will overflow onto neighborhood streets. What
plan is there to protect our children walking to school?" asked Deanna
Archuleta-Loeser, member of Summit Park Neighborhood Association and
parent of a student attending Montezuma Elementary on Indian School
Road.
"Area
hospitals are very concerned about ambulances and emergency vehicles
getting through two lanes of traffic on the interstate during
construction. We have not seen adequate planning for emergency vehicles
in the Big I project. There needs to be sufficient space for them to
pass traffic and we do not want them to take neighborhood streets
jeopardizing the safety in those areas," said Robert Garc’a,
Administrative Director of Presbyterian Health Care Services.
"Area
residents living near the Big I want the reconstruction of the Big I to
incorporate innovative and cost effective techniques that reduce
interstate noise, especially in areas where sound walls will not be
used. We have suggested that the state highway department extensively
use asphalt rubber throughout the Big I project. The highway department
responded saying they need to do a five year study to see if it
actually reduces noise. It is not a new technology that needs to be
tested. It has been proven to reduce noise and be cost effective in
other states such as Arizona, California, and Texas," added Mardon
Gardella, President of the Federation of University Neighborhoods.
"The
public needs to be aware of how this project, during and after
construction, will affect their commuting so we the public can plan
accordingly. What will be my delay time traveling to and from work each
day? According to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the
traffic on the Big I will increase by 13% after the project is
complete. Quite a few arterial streets will increase in traffic
dramatically, Comanche west of I-25 will double in traffic, Carlisle
south of I-40 will increase by 87% and Dr. Martin Luther King west of
I-25 will increase by 73%. Is this expensive project, the best highway
design to alleviate traffic, or will it increase our traffic problems?"
asked Moorman. "In addition, little evidence has been provided that
demonstrates planning for bicyclists and pedestrians. Will there be
adequate space for pedestrians and bicyclists under refurbished
bridges? Will all intersections be traffic controlled?" added Moorman.
"The
public needs access to Big I information on issues such as air quality
and commuting delays, as well as traffic management plans. We need
adequate time to respond to these plans before bidding begins.
Community concerns including neighborhood safety and noise reduction
need to be addressed before then so residents of Albuquerque and the
state of New Mexico feel that this is a highway project we can support
and that benefits everyone," concluded Moorman.
