[TRTR] TRTR update

[PresidentTRTR]

Important Meeting especially for all of us that have been waiting for over
30  yrs & holding! 

 

 

 



Taosenos for Real Traffic Relief (TRTR) Update:

Yesterday (2/27/07) the New Mexicio Department of Transportation (NMDOT)
came to Taos to attend a work study session at the County Commission's
Chambers. Members of the Taos Pueblo Council and the Town of Taos Council
were also invited by both TRTR and County Manager Agnes Oakeley. Mayor Duran
and Public Works Director French Espinoza both came to the meeting. However,
no Council members and no Pueblo officials attended. While this was a start
toward getting governmental agencies to appear in the same room to discuss
the infrastructure and road needs in Taos county, we obviously have a long
way to go toward working as a team.

The purpose of the meeting was for NMDOT to give a status report on the Taos
Congestion Relief Study (TCRS). Joe Garcia, Northern Region Design Manager,
and Phil Gallegos, field engineer for District 5, did a brief presentation.
The study, which was reviewed in a public hearing on 6/29/06, included seven
proposed routes for a relief route to be built around Taos. At this time the
data collected in the study indicates that a Relief Route/Bypass is not
needed and that there are ³extensive holes in the models² used to determine
the need for such a road. Therefore the current proposal by the NMDOT is to
stop the study at the conclusion of Phase B.

What this translates to is the following: There is no current or projected
justification for a Relief Route which would take traffic around Taos. Also,
while the study will stop at the conclusion of phase B, all the documents
collected, including public input over the past nine months, have been
placed in the official records at NMDOT. This means that in the future the
study could be revisited and further evaluated (and even moved forward into
Phase C:Environmental Impact Study). Also, it appears that over the past
several years the original intent of the study got off track and tried to
focus on the town traffic congestion, though that was never the purpose of
the study. Hence, for example, the proposed one-way pair downtown. The
one-way pair will continue to be evaluated outside of the original TCRS,
along with changing the progression of lights along Paseo del Pueblo and
other means to address traffic congestion in the Town of Taos.

So where does that leave us today? Phil Gallegos stated the TCRS study was a
Relief Route Study, not a Network Study, which would include all of the
existing roads in and around Taos. He indicated there are current plans to
do some work on various roads, though the funding is limited. NMDOT gave a
bleak picture of what is to come in regard to funding for any new roads
within the State of New Mexico. Their budgets have been severely cut due to
much of the Federal budget being allocated for war in the Middle East and
the Katrina disaster. Mr. Gallegos further stated that there would be no
funding for a relief route for at least 20 to 30 years.

Responses from the Commissioners included: Commissioner Charlie Gonzales
asked how Taos County can get assistance to work on and repair the lateral
routes in and around the region. Other council members echoed similar
concerns, especially identifying HWY 240 and Blueberry Hill Road as
dangerous and in need of repair. Commissioner Gabriel Romero stated he will
ask the Northern Pueblo Regional Planning Organization (NPRPO) to put on its
agenda the current road needs of the region. TRTR will also be attending and
presenting at the NPRPO meeting in April.

TRTR submitted for the record our handout which outlines our concerns and
thoughts regarding addressing the traffic congestion issues in Taos. I
addressed the Commissioners and urged all three governmental agencies‹along
with the community‹to work together as a team toward resolving the road
issues given the bleak picture outlined for us regarding funding for our
current road problems.  Also, it is imperative that a master plan be
developed, with real forethought about future development and all the
infrastructure components. Two recent studies that have already been
completed can show us the way: "Investing in the Future" and the "2006 Taos
Smart Growth Study."

While TRTR is pleased with the outcome of this latest meeting, we feel
strongly that it is only the beginning of our work. It is time for all
concerned citizens to speak up, speak out, and help create a Master Plan
that will preserve the rich traditions and cultures of our community. I
welcome anyone who wants to join TRTR or learn more about other groups
actively working on growth management and economic/cultural sustainability
to contact me. 

There will be a public meeting hosted by the NMDOT in the next 30 to 60 days
here in Taos to review the aforementioned. I will let people know when that
will occur.

THANK YOU to everyone who wrote an email, came to a meeting, signed a
petition, or in some small or big way contributed to this effort.

Barbara J. Sheppard, President
Taosenos for Real Traffic Relief

  

 

 

 

 
 

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