Chaos At Interstate 40

Above, the eastbound off ramp. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The temporary traffic control system is more haywire than ever at the on-ramps to Interstate 40 in New Mexico.

Above, heading westbound back to our exit on I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Several of us were stuck waiting for the traffic signal to turn green for us. It did, several times but slowpoke truckers and construction project trucks took their time crossing the single lane bridge right through our green light. Sometimes, the sequence of the signal bypassed our side completely!

Above, almost at our exit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After waiting for over 20 minutes, I managed to get out of line and get to the on-ramp to go east on I-40 to go to the next off-ramp in Coolidge, five miles away, and turn around and get off at our exit to get to the Flying J.

As I was heading on the on-ramp to go east, I notice that one semi truck was stopped northbound on the bridge and 3-4 semi trucks were stopped facing south. The whole bridge was blocked.

At the time I made it to the our off-ramp, our group members were just finally crossing the bridge. This was about 30 minutes after we all arrived at the bridge to begin with.

Insert Charlton Heston's "It's a madhouse!" screams here!