[TRTR] TRTR Roads update

[Barbara J. Sheppard]

HELLO EVERYONE

TRTR met yesterday with Commissioner Barrone to discuss our ongoing concerns
about Blueberry Hill Road. We shared that we want both short term solutions
and long term planning to improve this road for the safety of all that use
it.  Increased signs for cyclists, speed tables, getting the Sheriff¹s
Department to enforce the speed were some of the suggestions that do not
cost a lot of money.  Addressing the big rig trucks illegal use of the road
was further discussed with the suggestion, unless there is an alternate
route then the pavement needs to be resurfaced for the weight of these
trucks. These heavy vehicles have contributed significantly to the
destruction of the current road. Nonetheless, enforcement of the speed
limits with additional calming devices would apply to the trucks as well.
TRTR is in the process of developing a petition to address the community¹s
concern about the hazards of traveling on BBH road no matter what mode of
transportation you utilize. We will be continuing this discussion on TUESDAY
OCTOBER 9TH at the Taos County Work Study Session at 9am in Taos County
Commission Chambers.

Also, being discussed is the paving of Cottam Road. Unfortunately, despite
several attempts over the past few months The County Road Department has not
been responsive to discuss current projects about to start which includes
Cottam Road. A petition of the  property owners on Cottam (which I am one
of) will be gathered to minimally request speed humps be installed. This
project according to Mike Trujillo, Public Works Director, will be starting
this Tuesday and without input from the folks who live on the road. Hence
the need for all concerned whether or not you live on or near Cottam Road to
try and come to this meeting. TRTR¹s believes that Cottam Road will turn
into just another one of many dangerous roads if speed is not controlled as
well as the road not improved/paved correctly. We are also asking for a 4
way stop sign to be considered at Blueberry Hill and Cottam. In addition,
while the initial response of many will be ³oh good now I can get to town
faster² will truly only save them at most 4 to 5 minutes but could be quite
costly if they encounter the predictable safety hazards both on Cottam and
at the bottom of the hill which intersects with Ranchitos Road. From both
directions there are blind spots making it difficult to turn left onto
Ranchitos currently and with the expected increase in volume of traffic will
come  a greater opportunity for accidents etc.

So I urge as many people to come TUESDAY OCTOBER 9TH at the Taos County Work
Study Session. The meeting does have other agenda items but is scheduled
from 9am to about 12noon. If you cannot make the meeting I encourage you to
contact your County Commissioners and let them know your thoughts about
Blueberry Hill Road and Cottam Road. Also, for those of you who read the
article in the Taos News this past Thursday about the cyclist who was
critically injured on Blueberry Hill Road the information provided by Anita
Padilla who is the grant administrator for the County is incorrect. Either
the reporter go it wrong or Ms. Padilla is off base with her comments. This
will be addressed on Tuesday as well. Blueberry Hill Road has been
considered for State Funding and TRTR as well as other groups have been
requesting the safety issues be addressed for quite some time.


Please contact me if you have questions or thoughts and I hope we can fill
the Commission Chambers this Tuesday to address these two roads!!!

Barbara Sheppard, President
Taosenos For Real Traffic Relief
751-7230

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