ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It only took the city three days to put a fresh coat of asphalt on one of Albuquerque’s busiest and most beat up intersections. They’ve had a plan to do it since 2018, so why did it take six years to see the project come to life? It’s because of your complaints […]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It only took the city three days to put a fresh coat of asphalt on one of Albuquerque’s busiest and most beat up intersections.
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They’ve had a plan to do it since 2018, so why did it take six years to see the project come to life? It’s because of your complaints that the work finally got done.
“It was nice to see it being done,” said Chris Romero, an Albuquerque resident who has been driving through University and Lomas for over a decade.
It’s a smoother ride for people driving through University and Lomas. “It was extremely bad before. You had to slow down way down when you crossed over it because there was a big bump in the middle, now it’s just a lot better,” said Jason Jaback, Albuquerque resident.
Before the project, the intersection was among the worst in the city with cracking pavement and tons of patches. Six years ago, the city told KRQE News 13 there was a plan to repave it.
“Gosh what took them so long because it’s been a very long time,” said Steven Storch, driver.
“Going through that intersection you really had to slow down because you would hit a couple of those wide cracks or potholes that would just jar you,” said Keith Roberts, Albuquerque resident.
The city said the three-day project maintenance was paid for with $280,000 in road repair tax funds. KRQE News 13 asked the city why it took over five years to do the job but they wouldn’t answer the question. Instead, a Department of Municipal Development spokesman told KRQE News 13 that they finally prioritized the work because of the number of 311 complaints they got about the intersection.
“I guess that’s a good thing that they would have a system where people could call in and report grievance or whatever,” said Storch.
The city said they’re also looking to repave Gibson and San Mateo because that area also has numerous complaints.
Some drivers say they’re surprised to hear that complaints are why the city finally took action. “Just keep calling keep complaining if you have issues and hopefully, they will get to them eventually,” said Roberts.
There’s a bigger project on the horizon at University and Lomas that the city said will get started once the University of New Mexico Hospital is finished building its new hospital tower.