I-40 New Mexico Exit 39 Roadwork

Above, the approach to the bridge that's been reduced to one lane and temporary signal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A major bone of contention for the community of Jamestown is the current road and bridge work at Exit 39 on Interstate 40. It has fermented a "road rage" of a different kind.

This week, temporary traffic signals have been placed at the on-ramps and off-ramps and the bridge going across the highway has been reduced to one lane.

The wait time for getting across the bridge has been nearly five minutes. That is a big irritant to the locals.

Above, the refinery and Flying J across Interstate 40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When this project was first contemplated, no public hearings took place (I've been told) for residents can voice their opinions. I find this to be very odd.

Another source of irritation is that the bridge it so be repaired, not replaced. This is even more irritating as the next exits, westbound (Iyanbito) and eastbound (Coolidge), got new bridges. Those exits have nowhere near the traffic that ours has.

Since work on the bridge and highway began, the potholes in the road on the approaches to the bridge on both sides have gotten worse.

So, I guess we're going to just tough this out.