June Meeting Minutes

6:30pm | Preservation Station | Bonnie Anderson presiding | Prepared by Secretary Howard Dobin

APD Report

There was no representative from APD in attendance.

Annual Meeting

Bonnie asked that anyone with ideas or recommendations for changes or additions to our annual meeting please communicate them to board members or bring them to the next meeting.

Welcoming Committee

The welcoming committee was introduced to those in attendance. Besides member emerita Ann Carson, the committee includes Fiona Cooke, Ruth Lantry, Lauren Austin, Jen Maddox, and Krista Smith. They are in the process of determining a welcome gift for new residents.

Social Media

Krista Smith has gained access to the legacy accounts for Huning Highlands on both Facebook and Instagram. She is looking for content to keep the accounts involved and active.

I-25 “S” Curve Presentation

Mike Morrall and his team were in attendance to answer questions regarding their proposals on the “S” Curve. Their task was to analyze the curves on I-25 to reduce crashes. He indicated that they are nearing the end of their second public milestone, and they have extended public comment to Monday June 10th (You may give your input by using this link: i25scurve.com).

After completing this milestone, they plan to fulfill two more milestones by the end of the calendar year. These next steps will examine the configuration of access roads, ramps, pedestrian and bicyclist issues. They project to complete their next public milestone by September or November.

Their potential proposed solutions have narrowed from four to two, Options I and D. Option I is to the east and mostly impacts APS properties. Option D would impact Huning Highlands. Their exhibits display a roughly drawn 240’ buffer zone with is purported to include thru lanes, shoulders, barriers and ramps. Option D would impact private properties and businesses, many of which would be considered “historic” by age. Section 4(f) of the Transportation Act of 1966, which applies to surface transportation, requires that before approving a project, they must ensure there is no feasible and prudent alternative that avoids historic properties, parks, etc.

Many of the questions that were asked were not given definitive answers. The question of cost was given only as greater than other current projects. There was some confusion about the number of excess accidents. The number of such accidents before the speed limit was increased was not known. They have not done an analysis of the economic impact of the project on the local economy. He had no information on the percentage of accidents caused by the curve vs. those made by short ramps, only that the information is reliant upon law enforcement attribution and data entry.

In meetings with NMHP and APD, law enforcement regards the “S” curve as too dangerous to sit and pull over cars for speed enforcement. They only will patrol it at night, and then their priority is DWI enforcement. Mike related that speed cameras cannot be used for enforcement on interstate highways.

Mike claimed that the notes from the east side meeting and meeting with local and state law enforcement exist and can be made available. He stated that his entity was not a construction company but may play an advisory role in the project in the future. Funding is likely to be 87% federal funds and 13% state and local sources.

On sound abatement, his group is required to analyze the highway noise as it will exist in the horizon year, 2050. His guess is that there will be a need for noise barriers as part of the project. The highlighted zones on the exhibited maps could go wider. There are other issues, such as the short distance between the ramps for Coal and Cesar Chavez. This should be better detailed and understood by the completion of the next milestone.

The earliest they see a start date for the project is late 2029. The project to deal with issues from Comanche to Montgomery is expected to begin this August and be completed at the end of 2027. The project to deal with issues around Gibson will begin next and likely go well into 2029. There cannot be two major projects in progress at the same time. This project has no funding attached at this time.

Mike concedes that straightening the curve will likely increase traffic speeds, demand and volume on the highway.

After discussion the board agreed that we support the “no build” option with infrastructure improvements, we ask for a return to the 50mph speed limit for all of Albuquerque, we ask that Option D not be considered and we make clear that we need more information and details before we can give our recommendations regarding other elements, including but not limited to ramps, frontage roads, pedestrian/bicyclist issues and sound walls. A motion was made and passed that Bonnie compose a draft letter that conveys our united position.