As threatened yesterday, my initial intention was to deeply dive (i.e., bore you to tears) into the as-close-to-final-before-they-start plans for the renovated Montgomery and Comanche interchanges of I-25.

Consider threat retracted.

Instead of a long post with intricate visually-supported evidence, I’m just pretty much gonna go with this: From a walking/rolling/cycling perspective, the plan for these two extremely important interchanges is simply a case of NMDOT checking the box marked: “Have some bike lanes and toss in some physical separation where it is least needed.”

As I already screenshotted it, I might as well throw in one visual excerpt from the interactive map plan.

Long story that I, at least, find interesting short, I-25 was built through ABQ over the late 1950s and early 60s. Right at 60 years ago. The upcoming work on these interchanges is supposed to be “good” for pretty much another 60 years. So, long, not very interesting, story short: We’re supposed to be “good” with bike lanes sandwiched between thru and right-turn lanes from busy to crazy busy stroads onto a fucking interstate until about the year 2087 or so.

Because that checks the box marked: Have Bike Lanes.

Thinking back over the past 25 years or so of my riding a bike through this here town, I’ve cycled through I-25 at Comanche probably three or four times in all of those 25 years. Plenty of reasons, but primarily it’s because it doesn’t feel safe and I avoid it. Meanwhile, I’ve NEVER crossed I-25 via Montgomery. The thought to do so has never entered my mind.

That personal pattern will remain precisely identical through my 123rd birthday if these plans become reality.

Not to be selfish, but the $278 million spent seems a waste if we’re just gonna disregard me and other folks who try to stay alive using our roads but happen to not fucking drive everywhere.

Hope you gain great personal and professional satisfaction checking that box, NMDOT. It must be so rewarding.