ROAD WARRIOR
Old I-25 bridge at Montgomery to be demolished
NMDOT to put in U-turns at Montgomery and Comanche interchanges
Published
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In the coming days, Interstate 25 travelers in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 can expect some inconveniences.
Starting on June 28, crews will begin demolishing the old bridge on Montgomery NE. The work, which is expected to take five days, will take place between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and result in the following closures and detours:
Northbound and Southbound I-25 will be closed from the Montgomery off-ramps to the Montgomery on-ramps. Traffic will be detoured onto the frontage road at the Montgomery off-ramps, over Montgomery, and back onto I-25 via the Montgomery on-ramps.
Eastbound and westbound Montgomery will be closed between Culture NE and the northbound frontage road. Traffic will be detoured to Comanche through Carlisle and Jefferson on the east side of I-25 and Culture and Edith on the west side of I-25.
The demolition is part of the I-25 Montgomery to Comanche improvements project that began in 2024 and is expected to be completed in spring 2027.
NAME A U-TURN: The New Mexico Department of Transportation will be putting in, what some call, the 鈥淭exas U-Turn鈥� at the Comanche and Montgomery interchanges by I-25.
The advanced U-turns (AUTs) will help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at the interchanges, NMDOT spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic said in a news release.
While it is unclear when work will begin, NMDOT is asking for help in naming the U-turns.
鈥淭exas has famously named the AUTs 鈥楾exas Turnarounds,鈥� but we obviously aren鈥檛 Texas, and we honestly think we can do better,鈥� she said. 鈥淧lus, if our snowplow names have taught us anything, it is that there is a lot of creativity in the Land of Enchantment.鈥�
People have until Friday to . No vulgar or inappropriate language or politically-inspired names are allowed.
鈥淭his contest is meant to be fun and nonpartisan,鈥� Bustos-Mihelcic said.
AS THE U-TURNS: Reader Jane Schwendeman said she wanted to learn more about the rules regarding U-turns.
There are a few items listed in sa国际传媒官网网页入口鈥檚 city code that address . For example, drivers can鈥檛 make a U-turn near a fire station, nor can they perform one unless it can be made safely 鈥渁nd without interfering with any other traffic or vulnerable road user, and there is no sign so prohibiting a U-turn.鈥�
Additionally, it is illegal to make a U-turn into oncoming traffic if your vehicle cannot be seen by other drivers from at least 300 feet away.
鈥楽TOP FOR EVERYONE鈥�: The city of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 is offering an online training program called 鈥淪top for Everyone鈥� that will help people 鈥渦nderstand our updated traffic safety laws, pedestrian crossings, and protections for vulnerable road users,鈥� Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release on June 16.
鈥淭he online training gives practical guidance for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians on new roadway rules, including the proper use of HAWK (or high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon) signals, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) and updated protections for vulnerable road users,鈥� he said.
The training is available .
REHAB PROJECT: Travelers in the Gallina area may experience traffic delays as a roadway rehabilitation project on N.M. 96 is scheduled to begin on Monday.
Gallina is about 25 miles north of Cuba.
The project will span from milepost 8 (south of Regina) to milepost 25 (east of Gallina) and is expected to take 15 working days to complete, weather permitting, NMDOT District 5 spokesperson James Murray said.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
