New Mexico

[Plutonic Panda]

And it has left exits yuck

[JKRhodes]

And it has left exits yuck

My main gripe. Upon further study it seems  they may have designed it that way in order to buy a few extra car lengths of queue space for SB 2nd street approaching El Pueblo. Still, very odd. Based on each iteration of street view it doesn't look heavily traveled enough to routinely back up into the SPUI, and there are pylons to eliminate weaving. So a standard SPUI would have probably served its purpose just fine.

[abqtraveler]

And it has left exits yuck

My main gripe. Upon further study it seems  they may have designed it that way in order to buy a few extra car lengths of queue space for SB 2nd street approaching El Pueblo. Still, very odd. Based on each iteration of street view it doesn't look heavily traveled enough to routinely back up into the SPUI, and there are pylons to eliminate weaving. So a standard SPUI would have probably served its purpose just fine.

Using historicaerials.com to view the PDN/2nd Street interchange, it was previously an at-grade intersection that was converted to the current interchange some time between 1991 and 1996. My theory into why they built it the way they did is they had to keep the existing intersection open and unobstructed while construction of the interchange proceeded. You'll notice that the EB and WB left-hand offramps both intersect 2nd Street at the same point where the previous at-grade intersection used to lie. From that, it looks like they built the overpasses outside of the existing intersection to keep the intersection and its approaches unimpeded during construction. When the overpasses were completed, it would be relatively easy to shift PDN traffic onto the new overpasses, and then convert the old PDN roadway to the offramps you see today. 

It's not necessarily how I would have built the interchange, but I can see the logic in the design...it was all about maintaining traffic flow through the intersection while the interchange was being built. 

[triplemultiplex]

Using historicaerials.com to view the PDN/2nd Street interchange, it was previously an at-grade intersection that was converted to the current interchange some time between 1991 and 1996. My theory into why they built it the way they did is they had to keep the existing intersection open and unobstructed while construction of the interchange proceeded. You'll notice that the EB and WB left-hand offramps both intersect 2nd Street at the same point where the previous at-grade intersection used to lie. From that, it looks like they built the overpasses outside of the existing intersection to keep the intersection and its approaches unimpeded during construction. When the overpasses were completed, it would be relatively easy to shift PDN traffic onto the new overpasses, and then convert the old PDN roadway to the offramps you see today.

This has always been my assumption as well.  It was the result of someone's poor planning in terms of construction staging.
Everyone knows that to build a single point interchange under traffic, you rough in the ramps first, shift the traffic over to the ramps, and then build your bridges in the 'median'.  Once the bridges are done, traffic is shifted there, then you clean up the ramps and voila: completed SPUI.

[thenetwork]

A Shocker crossing into the state On US-550 today ...

After nearly 2 years, they FINALLY got around  Is to putting a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign at the border.

THIS,...coming a few weeks after a.FULL resurfacing of US-550 between Aztec and Bloomfield.

Still nothing on US‐491 South yet...

[DJStephens]

And it has left exits yuck

My main gripe. Upon further study it seems  they may have designed it that way in order to buy a few extra car lengths of queue space for SB 2nd street approaching El Pueblo. Still, very odd. Based on each iteration of street view it doesn't look heavily traveled enough to routinely back up into the SPUI, and there are pylons to eliminate weaving. So a standard SPUI would have probably served its purpose just fine.

Using historicaerials.com to view the PDN/2nd Street interchange, it was previously an at-grade intersection that was converted to the current interchange some time between 1991 and 1996. My theory into why they built it the way they did is they had to keep the existing intersection open and unobstructed while construction of the interchange proceeded. You'll notice that the EB and WB left-hand offramps both intersect 2nd Street at the same point where the previous at-grade intersection used to lie. From that, it looks like they built the overpasses outside of the existing intersection to keep the intersection and its approaches unimpeded during construction. When the overpasses were completed, it would be relatively easy to shift PDN traffic onto the new overpasses, and then convert the old PDN roadway to the offramps you see today. 

It's not necessarily how I would have built the interchange, but I can see the logic in the design...it was all about maintaining traffic flow through the intersection while the interchange was being built.

Was under the impression it dated from late eighties.   Just illustrates the non-standard, design-regressive, weird stuff that has been allowed to have been built in this state.   If mid nineties, could  very well have been an excretion from Pete Rahn's school of thought.   

[abqtraveler]

NMDOT's new website just went live. The URL is https://www.dot.nm.gov/

[CanesFan27]

Not all roadtrips are long drives - New Mexico Highway 28 is a great example.  History, scenery, and a lot of pecans.  Come along for the ride.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2022/01/new-mexico-route-28.html

[oscar]

NMDOT's new website just went live. The URL is https://www.dot.nm.gov/

NMDOT still hasn't updated at least its main posted route log since 2010. I just use NMDOT's online Roadway Functional Class map to get the latest, though the "latest" may be a few years old.

[jtespi]

Hello everyone, I'm quoting from another thread below regarding the old NMDOT plans to widen roads 10 years ago. It appears like US-54 won't ever be made a divided highway between Tularosa and Vaughn.

New Google Street View imagery was captured in the past few months and shows the current state of US-54. The state has "upgraded" (reconstructed) all but an 11-mile segment from mile posts 152 to 163 of US-54 between Tularosa and Vaughn with wider lanes and hard shoulders. The speed limit was also raised in most of these resconstructed sections to 65 MPH - although it is still a 2-lane road with a few passing lane segments. Previously, in early 2021, ABQtraveler (in the outer quote) noted there was a 17-mile segment that still needed to be reconstructed. That has shrunk by 5 miles to 11 miles remaining of 2-lane road with no hard shoulders.

I think it's pretty sad the state is reconstructing the roadway adjacent to the old alignment then they rip out the old roadway bed instead of repaving it to make a divided highway.

Since the GRIP was mentioned, I attempted to research it and found this map (December 2003):



Looking at the blue expansion corridors, it appears that the I-25 six laning to Santa Fe and US 54 four laning from Alamogordo to Santa Rosa were not completed, but the others have become four lane highways.

GRIP means Governor Richardson's Investment Partnership. I've seen that abbreviation being used for 'Governor's Road Improvement Program' in other states, but in New Mexico the governor wanted to put his name in it.

https://nmceh.org/pages/reports/The_Governor's_Invest_New_Mexico.pdf

...
Also you notice the blue line for US-54 between Alamogordo and Vaughn. The original plan was to expand this segment of US-54 from 2 to 4 lanes as it handles a lot of truck traffic running between the ports of entry in El Paso and I-40 in Santa Rosa. What has been done so far was building a new roadway for US-54, and removing the old roadway without expanding to to 4 lanes. There is still about 17 miles of old US-54 roadway between Ancho and Corona that has yet to be reconstructed.

[DJStephens]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

[abqtraveler]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

Unfortunately all of what you described are byproducts of New Mexico doing things on the cheap, like they know how to. The stretch of 54 between Carrizozo and Tularosa was reconstructed in the 2011-2013 timeframe. Within 5 years the subgrade had settled and the pavement had completely failed in some areas, and NMDOT had to go back and completely redo parts of that stretch.

Further north on 54, I think there is about 10 or so miles of the old pavement remaining that needs to be reconstructed. That includes a stretch that goes through a fairly steep canyon between MPs 152 and 156. Not sure if they've done so already, but NMDOT plans to let two construction contracts at some point to reconstruct that last remaining stretch between MPs 152 and 163.

[DJStephens]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

Unfortunately all of what you described are byproducts of New Mexico doing things on the cheap, like they know how to. The stretch of 54 between Carrizozo and Tularosa was reconstructed in the 2011-2013 timeframe. Within 5 years the subgrade had settled and the pavement had completely failed in some areas, and NMDOT had to go back and completely redo parts of that stretch.

Further north on 54, I think there is about 10 or so miles of the old pavement remaining that needs to be reconstructed. That includes a stretch that goes through a fairly steep canyon between MPs 152 and 156. Not sure if they've done so already, but NMDOT plans to let two construction contracts at some point to reconstruct that last remaining stretch between MPs 152 and 163.

Yep the section N of Tularosa has a lot of "crazed" cracking, where "ruts" are starting to develop from the weight of the trucking.   Am not sure why they couldn't achieve decent compaction of the subgrade, the state technicians have good / new Seamans densiometers, as well as a few Troxlers.   In fact pretty much everything they have, equipment wise is near new.   
Compare that to many small private labs, which are still using 35-40-45 year old Troxlers that are pieced together.    Have no idea how many proctors they pulled when doing the soil analysis for that stretch.   There are areas of extreme "expansive" soils, with clays and caliche present.  If you travel the horrible Alamogordo "bypass" or "relief route" as Johnson and Rahn called them, there is a pocket of extremely heaved material, even the guardrails along the roadway are heaved into an undulating pattern.   The state people have been out there in that last week, putting a "new mexico patch" over the underlying asphalt in the heaved area.   
But no, the section S of Corona still has to be rebuilt.  Have to hope they incorporate a full climbing lane for NB trucking in that incline, as well as improving sight lines, with better horizontal and vertical curvature.    And full shoulders as well.   

[thenetwork]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

Unfortunately all of what you described are byproducts of New Mexico doing things on the cheap, like they know how to.

It's sad when NMDOT will spend the extra money on a rebuilding project for "decorative" center medians/bridges/etc and over-the-top redundant signage, but won't put money and/or labor aside to perform scheduled maintenance (weed spraying, sweeping, crack sealing, litter control,...) to keep their "investments" looking presentable and lasting for more than just 3-5 years.  I guess they really want to show locals and out-of-towners just how "poor" their state is.

[abqtraveler]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

Unfortunately all of what you described are byproducts of New Mexico doing things on the cheap, like they know how to.

It's sad when NMDOT will spend the extra money on a rebuilding project for "decorative" center medians/bridges/etc and over-the-top redundant signage, but won't put money and/or labor aside to perform scheduled maintenance (weed spraying, sweeping, crack sealing, litter control,...) to keep their "investments" looking presentable and lasting for more than just 3-5 years.  I guess they really want to show locals and out-of-towners just how "poor" their state is.

Even funnier...if you've driven on any of New Mexico's interstates and as you approach a town, you'll see a blue sign highlighting the traveler amenities in that town. What I find laughable...and it speaks to what a bass ackwards place New Mexico is...those blue signs highlight the town has "X MODERN STATIONS," like somehow New Mexico is some third world country that lacks "modern" gas stations with 21st century technology. Here's an example of one of those blue signs on I-40 EB, approaching Moriarty, NM.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0231622,-106.0933251,3a,75y,129.08h,83.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPnA4612sYQmN68gbPsxJAQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[thenetwork]

Was on this stretch of US-54 over Labor Day weekend.  Duran south to Tularosa. The sub-standard section remaining is between Corona and Carrizozo.   Closer to Corona. Am of belief that the two lane upgrades are adequate, as sight lines are being somewhat improved.    Given the traffic counts, the improved sight lines give greater safety when passing.  A semi-trailer has greater sight ahead, due to their raised seat positions.   A "cheapie" four lane, which is what they probably were planning on, at one point, would not be better imho, than an improved two lane, with some passing three lane sections.  By "cheapie" four lane, meant a "flush median" or a "poor boy".   There have now been three "cheapie" flush median jobs done statewide.  US 550/NM 44, with it's horrific safety record, US 70/380 Hondo Valley, and US 82 E of Artesia.  All are less than optimum, some (US 550/NM 44) are significantly worse.  But yes, a divided four lane, with a minimum sixty foot median, would be the best long term outcome, for US 54.  Personally don't believe it will ever happen.     

Unfortunately all of what you described are byproducts of New Mexico doing things on the cheap, like they know how to.

It's sad when NMDOT will spend the extra money on a rebuilding project for "decorative" center medians/bridges/etc and over-the-top redundant signage, but won't put money and/or labor aside to perform scheduled maintenance (weed spraying, sweeping, crack sealing, litter control,...) to keep their "investments" looking presentable and lasting for more than just 3-5 years.  I guess they really want to show locals and out-of-towners just how "poor" their state is.

Even funnier...if you've driven on any of New Mexico's interstates and as you approach a town, you'll see a blue sign highlighting the traveler amenities in that town. What I find laughable...and it speaks to what a bass ackwards place New Mexico is...those blue signs highlight the town has "X MODERN STATIONS," like somehow New Mexico is some third world country that lacks "modern" gas stations with 21st century technology. Here's an example of one of those blue signs on I-40 EB, approaching Moriarty, NM.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0231622,-106.0933251,3a,75y,129.08h,83.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPnA4612sYQmN68gbPsxJAQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

"X Modern stations"....the rest of the stations in town have pit-toilets out back.

[DJStephens]

There used to be one, approaching las Cruces from the N, on SB I-25.  Believe it was finally removed, as the number of restaurants was constantly changing, as it is the type of business most likely to fail.
They do have the "blue" background signage, with the icons for prominent fuel stations and restaurants at each exit, though.  Not perfect but better than nothing.   And at least it's not Clearview.  That alone, the relative lack of Clearview, does bring the state up a few notches, from the absolute bottom.       

[kphoger]

"X Modern stations"....the rest of the stations in town have pit-toilets out back.

I've used a gas station bathroom like that before.  The gas station itself was closed at the time, and the bathroom was basically an outhouse on the side of the building.  The water didn't even work.

Loma Alta, Texas

[triplemultiplex]

I seem to recall a blue logo sign in NM that had Taco Bell listed under "Gas".

[Plutonic Panda]

New Mexico DOT is asking for almost 900 million in additional funding. Hopefully they get it and fund much needed projects.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/department-of-transportation-asks-for-additional-889-million-on-budget/

[abqtraveler]

New Mexico DOT is asking for almost 900 million in additional funding. Hopefully they get it and fund much needed projects.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/department-of-transportation-asks-for-additional-889-million-on-budget/

Two projects at the top of my list that should be prioritized: the I-25/Montgomery interchange reconstruction, and straightening out the dreaded S-curve on I-25 through downtown Albuquerque.

[DJStephens]

New Mexico DOT is asking for almost 900 million in additional funding. Hopefully they get it and fund much needed projects.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/department-of-transportation-asks-for-additional-889-million-on-budget/

Two projects at the top of my list that should be prioritized: the I-25/Montgomery interchange reconstruction, and straightening out the dreaded S-curve on I-25 through downtown Albuquerque.

Has anything started in SE NM, in the oil fields?  They did have some terrible "improvements" slated for US -285 SE of Carlsbad.  A THREE LANE poor boy.  Simply awful.  That stretch, all the way S to Pecos, should be Expressway grade, divided four lane.  Access maintained, for oil field interests and ranchers, but some full interchanges at certain intersections.  Crap.   Yes am aware Texas did a poor boy three lane, south of the NM state line, that is equally bad.  Clearview also, served on top.   

[abqtraveler]

New Mexico DOT is asking for almost 900 million in additional funding. Hopefully they get it and fund much needed projects.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/department-of-transportation-asks-for-additional-889-million-on-budget/

Two projects at the top of my list that should be prioritized: the I-25/Montgomery interchange reconstruction, and straightening out the dreaded S-curve on I-25 through downtown Albuquerque.

Has anything started in SE NM, in the oil fields?  They did have some terrible "improvements" slated for US -285 SE of Carlsbad.  A THREE LANE poor boy.  Simply awful.  That stretch, all the way S to Pecos, should be Expressway grade, divided four lane.  Access maintained, for oil field interests and ranchers, but some full interchanges at certain intersections.  Crap.   Yes am aware Texas did a poor boy three lane, south of the NM state line, that is equally bad.  Clearview also, served on top.

They've been working in phases on Highway 285 from Artesia to the TX state line, with the ultimate goal of 285 being 4 lanes along that entire stretch. From what I've seen thus far, they are "pulling a US-550" with 2 lanes in each direction, separated by a 3-foot rumble strip centerline rather than a physical median divider.

[triplemultiplex]

No one cheaps out on a four-lane expansion like New Mexico!

[DJStephens]

New Mexico DOT is asking for almost 900 million in additional funding. Hopefully they get it and fund much needed projects.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/department-of-transportation-asks-for-additional-889-million-on-budget/

Two projects at the top of my list that should be prioritized: the I-25/Montgomery interchange reconstruction, and straightening out the dreaded S-curve on I-25 through downtown Albuquerque.

Is that APS warehouse building still in the SE quadrant of that "S" curve?  The one they put that "mural" on?  Cannot for the life of me understand why it is so hard to comprehend that that facility has to be moved.