Town and county leaders face decisions about traffic control and bus service

By Patricia Chambers

Monday, April 14, 2008 6:36 PM MDT

Taos County commissioners and town of Taos councilors learned Monday (April 14) that they have tough decisions to make about moving traffic through the town, as well as providing bus service through the county.

First, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) representatives informed the two government entities at a joint meeting Monday (April 14) that a recent traffic study determined that existing traffic at the intersection of Paseo del Pueblo Sur and Albright Street warrants a traffic light at the intersection.

The new traffic light would be more important when the county builds its new judicial complex on Albright Street.

The question for the county commissioners is do they want to pay the matching funds for a complete reconstruction of the intersection that would align Albright Street and Tewa Lane as the county prepares to build a new county office facility, or go for a quick fix to install temporary traffic signals.

Although the local match has not been determined, the cost of the temporary traffic light would cost about $300,000 and the price of the realignment and redesign of the intersection would be about $1.1 million, according to NMDOT representatives.

The second issue is whether the county remains in the North Central Regional Transit District or withdraw from it before the November election when a new gross receipt's tax (GRT) will be on the ballot to provide a budget to expand transit services connecting the three counties currently a part of the district — Los Alamos, Río Arriba and Taos.

If the GRT is authorized by the majority of voters in the three counties, it will continue at a rate of 3/16 percent until voters change the rate.

The town has not yet decided whether to join the transit district, but will discuss the issue at the Tuesday (April 15) council meeting.

If the county withdraws from the transit district, bus service from Peñasco to Taos and Questa to Taos will end, according to the RTD representatives.

For more details about the meeting, see The Taos News April 17 edition.


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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Taos News.

fromElPrado wrote on Apr 15, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Still MORE gross receipt tax increases? You've got to be kidding. "

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battling the elements wrote on Apr 16, 2008 7:50 AM:

" This one would be worth it, considering the price of gasoline. For once, it's a good investment of tax money. "

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yourkiddingme wrote on Apr 16, 2008 1:22 PM:

" I personally know that the RTD is a great service. With the prices of gas going up. What is it now? $3.55 a gall? And not to mention the wear and tear on your vehicle. Oh yeah! Another thing,what about them state police waiting to stop the early morning people hurring to work.The best time to get get pulled over for a good chunk out of your paycheck. 3/16 percent would be? 19 cents from $100 dollars? Not bad at all. Remember there are MANY people that have no transportation. Or can't drive! Or maybe should'nt be driving. LOL It would be a shame to lose what the rest of the State of New Mexico would fully utilize..... "

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battling the elements wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:00 AM:

" I understand Mr Nick Jaramillo is opposed to this. Perhaps he is unaware of the price of gas. Or perhaps he doesnt realize this is an election year. Or perhaps there is another motive. I suggest to Mr Jaramillo that he weigh the pros and cons and see the need for this as being not only a good one but a great one. He should ride the bus and see the benefit it is to those who can't afford to drive anymore. Maybe he can afford it but not everyone can, especially in Northern New Mexico. "

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Sarah_V wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:39 AM:

" It's obvious some people seem to look at Gross Receipts tax as FREE MONEY!!!!! YEA!!!!!

Get a grip people. There are only two places in the entire state of New Mexico that have a higher gross receipts tax than Taos. If an intersection needs a traffic light, that money should come out of gas tax funds. We have the highest gasoline prices and the crappiest roads in the entire state and to be honest, I would be very much opposed to improving a section of roadway that's already adequately paved. "

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taosmountain wrote on Apr 29, 2008 4:33 PM:

" Last time I looked we had the highest GROSS RECEIPTS IN THE STATE!

"

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Town and county leaders face decisions about traffic control and bus service

By Patricia Chambers

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