Highway construction in New Mexico is routinely a disaster. It is poorly planned, always delayed, and results in huge delays and burdens to the community. The project on Highway 550 in Bernalillo is a classic example of the poor planning and should be the final straw for the people of New Mexico. The contracts were not written to require after-hours or night time work, which resulted in multi-hour delays to go approximately 2 miles through the town and traffic backups extending onto I25 presenting a serious safety hazard. Weeks upon weeks of gridlock traffic, spanning over two years, preventing residents from living their lives or even leaving their homes. The communication company hired to shield DOT from public wrath repeatedly lied to constituents about the causes of the delays and problems, including blaming utility companies and the town of Bernalillo, both of whom denied responsibility AND provided proof that it was entirely DOT’s negligence. DOT hosted informational meetings, but refused to invite the public-only business owners-until the public demanded to be allowed to participate. What exactly was DOT trying to hide?

These delays resulted in personal hardship and were disastrous for businesses in the area. DOT cannot be allowed to ruin other communities with their horrible planning, and that begins with a leadership change. 

DOT is slated to start several more projects, including in the Albuquerque metro area, and the leadership must be changed to prevent the same disastrous impacts

Ultimately, the horrible performance and unbearable burden caused by DOT is the responsibility of the Secretary of Transportation, Michael Sandoval, and he should be removed for poor performance and lack of consideration for the constituents who fund these projects.