Travel Times September 2015

The E-newsletter of the 

Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization

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Issue: 50

September 2015

MRMPO and MRCOG Transportation News

2014 Traffic Counts Available Online

The 2014 Traffic Flow Map is now available online. We urge you to use caution when using the 2014 annual averages for trending purposes due to the reconstruction of the Paseo del Norte/I-25 interchange. This project began in October 2013 and was completed in December 2014. Traffic counts are collected throughout the year to develop the annual averages and the vast majority of the time we can schedule counts that are not near construction projects. Factors are applied to these counts to correct for seasonal variation and growth. However, no factors are applied to correct for disruptions due to construction projects with regional impacts such as the PdN/I-25 reconstruction project.

Although we are urging caution with the 2014 annual average traffic flows for trending purposes, we are working to make it much easier to see several years of data at once. Traffic count data will soon be available in an interactive traffic flow map that will allow you to zoom in and see several years of data at once. In the meantime, historical traffic flow maps are available on our website, here.

Salt Missions Trail Wayfinding Signs Installed!

After years of hard work and a community-led effort, funding has been secured to see 51 signs installed along the 150-mile historic Salt Missions Trail (SMT) Scenic Byway. The Mid-Region Council of Governments provides staff support to the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway Committee (SMT Committee), which is comprised of local officials and volunteers from Torrance, southern Santa Fe and east Bernalillo Counties.

The celebrated Byway lies approximately 30 miles east of Albuquerque in the central part of New Mexico connecting Old Route 66 with the Abo Canyon Trail along the roadway loop that runs from Moriarty south to Willard, west to Mountainair, north to Tijeras, and then east to Moriarty. The Byway also includes links west to the Abo Mission ruins and south to Gran Quivera, connecting a number of historic farming and Spanish land grant communities in the area. The transportation, trade, and use of salt from the salt lakes in the Estancia Basin provides the common link between these various points celebrating the communities and Spanish Missions along the way.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 18 at 2pm in Arthur Park (On Highland Avenue, adjacent to the Estancia Library and Police/Fire Depts.)

For additional information, please visit the Salt Missions Trail Facebook page HERE.

Explore Climate Change Through the Arts in Downtown ABQ

Downtown Albuquerque's 516 Arts is featuring a series of programs for "HABITAT: Exploring Climate Change Through the Arts" from August through December. The Mid-Region Council of Governments is a sponsor for the 516 Arts program and will be host a booth at the Downtown Block Party to be held on Saturday, September 12 from 4-8 pm .

The event will take over part of Downtown and features art exhibits, music, and demonstrations on cl imate change and ways we can make a difference. Staff will be on hand to share the findings from our climate change scenario planning project and the Futures 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Come say hello and check out what should be a great event! Learn more about the 516 Downtown Block Party here.

Public Meetings for Rio Metro's Long-Term Strategic Vision

Where do you want transit to take you? What kind of experience do you want when riding our buses and trains? How can a more seamless transit network help your community prosper? To answer questions like these, Rio Metro's Board of Directors is drafting a forward-thinking Strategic Vision for transit's future in central New Mexico that places you, our customers, first in all that we do. Join us for a conversation about this vision and tell us what you hope the future holds.

Public meetings will be held in Valencia, Sandoval and Bernalillo Counties on the following dates:

Valencia County - Tuesday, September 15, 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. at the Los Lunas Transportation Center, 101 Courthouse Rd. SE, Los Lunas

Sandoval County - Wednesday, September 16, 5:30 & 6:15 p.m. at the Workforce Connection Building, 301 Rail Runner Ave., Bernalillo (located at the Sandoval County/US 550 Rail Runner Station)

Bernalillo County - Thursday, September 17, 5:30 p.m. at the Mid-Region Council of Governments, 809 Copper Ave. NW, Albuquerque

Other Transportation Related News

CiQlovia is Here!

CiQlovía is the Albuquerque version of the global phenomenon known as ciclovía or open streets. The word refers to events where city streets are closed to cars and opened up to people on foot and on bike, outdoor exercise classes, shopping, live music and other activities.

CiQlovía is a FREE event designed to encourage ALL burqueños and visitors to enjoy our beautiful city and unique neighborhoods. It is an opportunity for juniors, seniors and inbetweeners to safely enjoy activities in the street. At this year's event we will have a protected bike lane demonstration and safety street mural demonstrations.

CiQlovía is meant to stimulate a community conversation about bicycle and pedestrian issues and public health issues, while also stimulating the local economy and encouraging active lifestyles. This event will also highlight local businesses, improve community livability, and cultivate relationships.

Building off of the success of last year's inaugural event, this year's CiQlovia will take place September 20, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The 2015 route will connect the Rail Yards Market and Civic Plaza via 4^th Street. Learn more and find out how to get involved here or RSVP on Facebook . If you're interested in volunteering, please email [email protected].

Umbrella Week

During one busy week in September 2015, Albuquerque is home to a concentration of mini-festivals and events representing some of the city's best art, technology and culture, embodying many of the things that make our city so creatively bountiful and infectiously eclectic. You are invited to Umbrella Week!

This is a community-driven, collaborative marketing effort created in response to the opportunity to show what we're all doing synchronistically in one exciting week in the Duke City.

Between September 12-20, 2015, events including TedxABQ, Tech Fiesta ABQ, 24 Hours of Art, BRIDGE: Arts & Social Justice, and many more will be taking place in and around Downtown ABQ. For more information, visit www.umbrellaweek.org.

America's Top 10 Transportation Projects: Paseo del Norte/I-25 Interchange Reconstruction

The Paseo del Norte/I-25 Interchange Reconstruction project (PdN/I-25) has been voted on America's top 10 Transportation Projects and is now it is in the running for the People's Choice national award.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce selected New Mexico's PdN/I-25 project as one of the top 10 projects in the nation based on three categories: under budget, best use of innovation, and quality of life/community development. There were 48 projects from 24 states competing for this recognition.

Now the PdN/I-25 project is in the running for the People's Choice award where the public is allowed to vote for t heir favorite project based on "reducing congestion, creating new access or opening up new business opportunities." You can vote up to 10 times per day up through Friday September 11.

Valle de Oro Turns 3!

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is celebrating its 3rd birthday with a grand party! The event's many partners are joining together to create a carnival-like atmosphere where there will be games, prizes, food trucks, music, and of course, free birthday cake! There will also be many different kinds of tours and workshops that anyone of any age can participate in. Come and learn how to do bird watching, improve your nature photography skill set, learn about the Camino Real, or just sit back, relax and see the refuge from the comfort of a hay ride!

Festivities will kick off at 10am and go until 3pm at Valle de Oro NWR, 7851 2nd St. SW Albuquerque NM 87105.

Questions? Contact Teresa Skiba at 505-933-3230 [email protected].

Calendar

August Calendar

Transportation Coordinating Committee Meeting	Fri., Sept 4, 2015 1:30pm-3:00pm	MRCOG Board Room
MRCOG Offices Closed (Labor Day)	Mon., Sept. 7, 2015 8:00am-5:00pm
MRCOG Annual Event	Thu., Sept. 11, 2015 5:30pm	Sandia Resort and Casino
Metropolitan Transportation Board Meeting	Fri., Sept. 18, 2015 10am	MRCOG Board Room
Rio Metro Board Meeting	Fri, Sept. 18, 2015 12pm	MRCOG Board Room