Mayor Tim Keller Announces Plans to Alleviate Traffic Burden in the City

June 15, 2018

Mayor Tim Keller announced plans to help alleviate traffic throughout the City with a new orange barrel policy and the creation of a multi-agency, state-of-the-art Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC). While all cities face peak hour congestion, these new policies will help agencies better manage traffic from construction, weather, emergencies and accidents.

“Traffic can be a major problem for Burqueños as they travel to work, drop kids off at school, or get home to their families,” stated Mayor Keller. “We’re stepping up today to alleviate some of the hassle with a new orange barrel policy and a traffic management center. These initiatives will help keep our roads safe and clear during construction, weather and emergencies.”  

The RTMC is designed to house the largest regional transportation and law enforcement agencies in one building to alleviate traffic during some of the most critical events in the Albuquerque area. The city issued an RFP to turn the old National Guard Armory located at 400 Wyoming Blvd NE. into a state-of-the-art center for the City of Albuquerque, NMDOT, Bernalillo County and others to coordinate using real time information.

Summer in Albuquerque also often means construction projects. And while the city needs road improvements, it’s important to keep traffic flowing.  In order to make traffic manageable during construction Mayor Keller is proposing the following orange barrel policy:

• All barricades must be removed before rush hour for any work lasting one day or less.
• Overnight work should be used when possible.
• When construction impacts parking, contractors provide other areas to park.
• All barricades can only be in place one hour before construction and must be removed immediately once a project is completed.

Contractors who do not follow the policies will face a $500 fine.

“I also encourage folks to skip the traffic if you can and walk, ride your bike, ride the bus, or use our paratransit system,” continued Mayor Keller.