[Neighbors] Nob Hill - see how the Lead/Coal issue mirrors and repeats the Central Ave. ART disaster

Mon Feb 15 15:36:06 MST 2021

All,

Great points from everyone! I have a few more. Several of you have mentioned the idea of trying to get an environmental impact study. Back in 2016, our group, “Make ARTSMART”,  a small group of architects, planners, businesspeople, property owners and concerned citizens was formed to challenge the Federal Transit Authority and CABQ on the fact that an environmental impact study was NEVER conducted even though it was an absolute FTA requirement in the process to design, build and fund the ART project. NOT conducting this study effectively eliminated the entire citizen and stakeholder input process and resulted in numerous design flaws and hurtful changes to many areas along Central. Our group had studied the entire ART plans in depth and knew that an impact study would have yielded a far better, less expensive bus system overall. We also pooled money to hire an excellent law firm, we had legal, planning, transit and architectural professionals as volunteers who spent hundreds of hours analyzing, creating improved designs, etc. Other activists collected many hundreds of signatures, sent cards and letters to the FTA.  Our group went through the Federal legal system, all the way up to the Federal 10th Circuit Court in Denver. Despite our proof, the meticulous work and research that was put into this case, each Judge simply decided that it was “too late” because the Berry administration had already begun the work (a smart move on their part). Unfortunately, the Lead/Coal issue reminds me exactly where ART left this City – stuck with massive, damaging projects that don’t seem to be much of an issue for our leaders.

My point is that the Lead/Coal project, if it used FTA money (which I know it did) was, like ART, absolutely required to conduct an environmental impact study with full citizen input – BEFORE PUTTING A SHOVEL TO THE GROUND. No doubt, like ART, they bypassed it because it would have slowed down  implementation – and they knew they could get away with it. Our group came to believe, years later, that this current administration could have and should have sued the Fed for not following its own guidelines.

Please take note that during ART the City paid millions of dollars for a PR campaign to “sell” ART and to belittle those that dared question its design. The response from the media was similar. Most galling was the general public did not seem to care one way or the other if ART was built or not. They certainly never got the information they needed to form an intelligent opinion. You will need a friendly editor and a large public outcry – far beyond your neighborhoods’ reach.

Jean Bernstein

From: eachestnut at swcp.com <eachestnut at swcp.com>
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2021 1:56 PM
To: 'Suzann Owings' <sowings06 at comcast.net>; 'OBC' <pcohen01 at gmail.com>
Cc: gail at gailchasey.com; 'Melodie Eyster' <meyster1 at me.com>; 'Jim Barrera' <chiledoggie at gmail.com>; 'Joseph Aguirre' <jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com>; a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov; Jean Bernstein <JBernstein at flyingstarcafe.com>; 'TheBoard' <theboard at nobhill-nm.com>; 'Neighbors Nob Hill' <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>; 'John Pate' <JPate at molzencorbin.com>
Subject: RE: [Neighbors] Nob Hill seeks your support on Lead and Coal Aves.

To Paul, and Suzanne: I agree with Paul: the larger contextual problem created by the A.R.T. project regarding traffic flow issues was one deliberately ignored. The fact that that the traffic
Patterns would negatively affect the surrounding neighborhoods was never address by a valid environmental report. The quick fix for the Central Avenue has had continued deleterious effects upon
The Lead/Coal corridor both directly and indirectly. To achieve an environmental impact study would be a major step in the right direction.

Elizabeth Chestnut, Nob Hill, not fortunately on a corner, but between Lead and Coal and regularly observing the physical property carnage that regularly occurs as cars, trucks, suv drivers
loose control and fly through the air, much to the surprise of their owner/drivers.

From: Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com>> On Behalf Of Suzann Owings via Neighbors_nobhill-nm
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 12:28 PM
To: OBC <pcohen01 at gmail.com<mailto:pcohen01 at gmail.com>>
Cc: gail at gailchasey.com<mailto:gail at gailchasey.com>; Melodie Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>; Jim Barrera <chiledoggie at gmail.com<mailto:chiledoggie at gmail.com>>; Joseph Aguirre <jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com<mailto:jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com>>; a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov<mailto:a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov>; Jean Bernstein <JBernstein at flyingstarcafe.com<mailto:JBernstein at flyingstarcafe.com>>; TheBoard <theboard at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:theboard at nobhill-nm.com>>; Neighbors Nob Hill <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>>; John Pate <JPate at molzencorbin.com<mailto:JPate at molzencorbin.com>>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Nob Hill seeks your support on Lead and Coal Aves.

I whole heartedly agree with Mr. Cohen.  Let’s have an environmental impact assessment that may result in options we’ve not considered.  Let’s identify the core problem before applying fixes to symptoms.

I live one house south of Coal.  While missing much of the mayhem, I empathize with my neighbors who live on Lead and Coal.

This issue impacts all of us, S
Suzann Owings
Mailing Address - P. O. Box 40352
Albuquerque, NM 87196 • so at docso.com<mailto:so at docso.com>
Telephone 505-867-0567/text 505-331-1463
...think only of the best,
...work only for the best,
...expect only the best.

On Feb 12, 2021, at 10:18 AM, OBC via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:

Thank you Mr. Barrera for your hard earned expertise and the time you took to research and share your knowledgeable opinions.  I took the liberty of googling you and saw that you are a senior engineer.  What a pleasant change it would be to let science inform and lead this process.  Your analysis shows that the proposed signals are not effective for roadways with multiple lanes and would increase gridlock and congestion on Lead and Coal.  Unlike some of my neighbors who live on quiet side streets but may drive on Lead and Coal, I live on Lead and I dread the prospect of a "fix" causing more gridlock and congestion and further degrading the quality of life along the one way.   As some of us remember, the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project did not include an environmental study as to how removing lanes from Central and diverting traffic onto the Lead and Coal would impact the surrounding neighborhoods because the proponents of that project certified to the Feds that there was no controversy surrounding the project so no such study was required.  Nice trick, that.  Councilor Davis' signal idea is apparently in "the design study" phase at present.  I suggest that the first step of the process would be an environmental impact study that is fully engaged with the initial analysis performed by Mr. Barrera and not waste additional money if his conclusions are grounded in the prevailing engineering knowledge.  The status quo may be miserable,  but as the last four years showed us, it can always get worse.

Have a nice weekend.

Paul Cohen

On Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 6:09 PM Jean Bernstein via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:
Hello Everyone,

I can’t help but to weigh in here with a couple of thoughts – for whatever they may be worth. First, I don’t understand why Lead/Coal have to be considered heavy feed streets with timed traffic lights. Please consider the information presented on the most recent traffic flow/volume map below:
https://www.mrcog-nm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4382/2019-Traffic-Flow-Map-for-Greater-Albuquerque-Area-PDF
Are Lead/Coal built to be “express streets”? If so, why? Their traffic volume is quite low (about 12K each) compared to many other major arteries in Albuquerque. My point – why must the lights be timed on Lead/Coal?

Second, this is just a musing… I remember several years back when both roads were being reconstructed. When Coal was shut down, Lead became 2 - way for a short time. Same for when Lead was shut down Coal became 2- way. I have a pleasant recollection of both roads feeling more neighborhood friendly, despite being busy. I have travelled to many cities, as I am sure most of you have. I have been in historic neighborhoods such as those in Denver, Philadelphia which were rendered unwalkable by fast moving one-ways tearing between lovely old streets. As long as these two streets remain one-ways, even if traffic is somehow slowed down a bit, I can’t see a vast improvement - no matter how much is spent on the highest technology. My point – why can’t both roads be turned into 2 way streets?

In closing, as owner of Flying Star and Satellite Coffee and a long time veteran business owner and (former) resident who deeply loves Nob Hill, I have seen so many unfortunate decisions made by our leaders which have resulted in the degradation of our quality of life, use and enjoyment of our neighborhood and business district. I feel it’s downright tragic that our streets have lost their charm and character and frankly, their real purpose. They exist only to move vehicles – buses, cars – and have become the scourge of our neighbors, endangering pedestrians, cyclists, our pets and children. I know how much work has been put into the solution by the neighborhood to date. If our Councilor, Pat Davis and other officials can find a quarter million dollars to buy untested technology, can they find the same to remodel this street instead?

Yours,

Jean Bernstein

From: Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm-bounces at mailman.swcp.com>> On Behalf Of vaneldredge via Neighbors_nobhill-nm
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2021 4:48 PM
To: Jim Barrera <chiledoggie at gmail.com<mailto:chiledoggie at gmail.com>>; Melodie Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Cc: gail at gailchasey.com<mailto:gail at gailchasey.com>; Joseph Aguirre <jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com<mailto:jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com>>; a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov<mailto:a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov>; John Pate <JPate at molzencorbin.com<mailto:JPate at molzencorbin.com>>; Neighbors Nob Hill <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>>; TheBoard <theboard at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:theboard at nobhill-nm.com>>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Nob Hill seeks your support on Lead and Coal Aves.

Great work Jim.
In your research were you able to determine if this equipment is manufactured in New Mexico? If not, is Representative Chasey willing to send a quarter of a million dollars in Capital outlay money to an out of state company?
Thanks for all the information.
Van

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Jim Barrera via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>>
Date: 2/10/21 12:48 PM (GMT-07:00)
To: Melodie Eyster <meyster1 at me.com<mailto:meyster1 at me.com>>
Cc: gail at gailchasey.com<mailto:gail at gailchasey.com>, Joseph Aguirre <jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com<mailto:jaguirre_87106 at yahoo.com>>, a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov<mailto:a.sedillolopez at nmlegis.gov>, TheBoard <theboard at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:theboard at nobhill-nm.com>>, Neighbors Nob Hill <neighbors at nobhill-nm.com<mailto:neighbors at nobhill-nm.com>>, John Pate <JPate at molzencorbin.com<mailto:JPate at molzencorbin.com>>
Subject: Re: [Neighbors] Nob Hill seeks your support on Lead and Coal Aves.

A couple neighbors asked me to weigh in on this issue, so I will share what I know.
There are some speed-actuated traffic signals in operation elsewhere in the U.S.  One type has the signals “rest in red” on all approaches.  When the detectors sense vehicles approaching at or under the speed limit, the system gives that approach a green light.  If the detectors sense vehicles approaching at above the speed limit (possibly with some leeway allowed), it holds that approach on red until the vehicles arrive and have to stop.
Traffic engineers have learned several things about these systems:
1.  For them to be effective, there must be driver education about the system.  Drivers must understand that their behavior (speed) is directly affecting whether they get a green light or not.
2.  Related to #1, these systems may be effective at isolated intersections with single-lane approaches, where the behavior/reward is obvious to the driver.  They are not considered effective for roadways with multiple lanes, where other vehicles will often trigger the system punishing everyone else who was traveling at the speed limit.
3.  They are not recommended for roadways with high traffic volumes.  Other cities have found that about 5,000 vehicles per day is the maximum traffic where these systems work well.  Lead/Coal each move upwards of 14,000 vehicles per day.  At these higher traffic volumes, such systems triggering extra red lights will just cause unnecessary congestion.
4.  These systems can work well at isolated intersections, but they are inappropriate for a corridor with timed coordinated traffic signals.  Lead/Coal is a coordinated corridor with signals timed for 30 MPH.  During peak commute periods, they move the platoons of vehicles efficiently through the system.  A speeding vehicle in the middle of the night may be stopped by this system, but during rush hour, just a few activations will turn Lead/Coal into gridlock.
A second type of system is not rest-in-red, but one that operates like a normal traffic signal alternately giving the main street and cross streets green lights/red lights.  When the green is on the main street and it senses a vehicle approaching at above the speed limit, the system will change it to yellow and then red.  The system would have to detect the speeding vehicle far enough in advance of the intersection that the safe required yellow time can be provided and go to red before the vehicle arrives.  On Lead/Coal, this type of operation may be effective to curtail the excessive speeders in off-peak hours like at night when there is little traffic.  But it would still be inappropriate to do this during coordinated timed operation for peak traffic hours.
`jimb

On Mon, Feb 8, 2021 at 11:13 AM Melodie Eyster via Neighbors_nobhill-nm <neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>> wrote:
Good morning, Antoinette and Gail.

Nob Hill and surrounding neighborhoods need your support for the Lead & Coal Safety Upgrades Capital Outlay Request, LCS Project ID 1275.

Capital Outlay Request Amount: $250k
Total Project Cost: $350k
Funding Secured: $100k
State ICIP Project ID: 30957
LCS Project ID: 1275

Along with our sister associations, University Heights and Southeast Heights, Nob Hill Neighborhood Association has long sought an answer to the speeding, reckless driving, and high speed accidents on Lead & Coal Aves. We’ve tried virtually everything but the situation is still horrible.
City Councilor Pat Davis has come up with an innovative idea to install speed sensitive traffic signals known as rest in red signals that only turn green when the approaching vehicle is traveling at or below the speed limit. The project is in the study and design phase.
The capital outlay request of $250,000 would be combined with City funds of $100,000 to implement this project, save lives, and enhance quality of life for hundreds of families on the corridor.

We urge your support and we urge any neighbor who feels the same to reach out as well.

Kind regards,

Gary Eyster
President, Nob Hill Neighborhood Association

_______________________________________________
Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>
https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm
This Message Sent To: chiledoggie at gmail.com<mailto:chiledoggie at gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>
https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm
This Message Sent To: pcohen01 at gmail.com<mailto:pcohen01 at gmail.com>
_______________________________________________
Neighbors_nobhill-nm mailing list
Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com<mailto:Neighbors_nobhill-nm at mailman.swcp.com>
https://mailman.swcp.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/neighbors_nobhill-nm
This Message Sent To: so at docso.com<mailto:so at docso.com>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.swcp.com/pipermail/neighbors_nobhill-nm/attachments/20210215/cc62a912/attachment.htm>