Potholes: U.S. Highways Get A 'D' Rating

Above, eastbound I-40 traffic at a complete standstill as potholes
 get patched in Coolidge, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For months, we have been griping about the potholes in New Mexico, particularly along Interstate 40 at the road construction zone in Coolidge. 

Several times, the road had to be closed for temporary repairs for a couple of hours midday. For three nights, the Interstate had to be closed for 8 hours so that more extensive repairs could be made overnight.

It is not just New Mexico that is having problems with potholes and Interstate highways in disrepair.

The state of our highways are getting worse and RV Travel has posted an article on this.

They start it with:

I have traveled the interstate highways many times over the years. They used to be the smoothest, fastest way to go. Now the interstates are filled with potholes and traffic. The traffic I can deal with, even through big city interchanges. It’s those (fill in your favorite expletive) potholes that bang up the tires, throw out the alignment, and hurt my back. It is so bad that the American Society of Civil Engineers rated our roads a D with more than 40 percent in need of repair. The World Economic Forum rates the United States 13th in a list of countries’ Overall Infrastructure with an 87.9 score. Recently, IH-20 through Shreveport, LA, IH-59 through Chattanooga, TN, and IH-40 through Knoxville, TN, all fall into that category for me.

To read more, go here. 

Interstate 40 Problems Persist

Above, the long line of traffic going eastbound on I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I decided to have dinner in Gallup. 

When I got to the I-40 bridge, I saw that a long line of vehicles stopped in the eastbound lanes. It appears that the two night closure of eastbound Interstate 40 for road pothole repairs in Coolidge (MM 44) this week didn't do much good.

As I headed down to Gallup (there were no problems with the westbound lanes), I saw that the long line of vehicles stretched four miles to milepost 35, four miles west of my Jamestown exit.

While at dinner in Gallup, I monitored the traffic situation so that, if necessary, I can take an alternate route through Mariano Lake on Navajo Service Routes 11 and 49 (these are in the Navajo Nation).

As it was somewhat expected, the traffic was still backed up, so I took the alternate routes home. Strangely, the Navajo Service Routes were almost pothole-free. I only saw a couple of them and they were already patched. 

Although the alternate route added 40 more miles to my drive home, I didn't mind it as it is a nice drive through the Navajo Nation. The area is mainly comprised of  Navajo ranches and rock formations. The route would eventually take me to Thoreau where I got onto Interstate 40 westbound to home. 

Although a longer drive, at least I didn't have to sit in traffic for hours.

Interstate 40 Closure

 

I just took a look outside and there are no lights from traffic on Interstate 40. The only lights are from homes in our community and those of Iyanbito Chapter of the Navajo Nation.

Interstate 40 will reopen the eastbound side shortly. 

It will be closed again tonight.

Interstate 40 To Be Closed Eastbound From Gallup 2 Nights

Tonight and tomorrow night are going to be interesting.

Eastbound Interstate 40 from Gallup will be closed both nights from 9:00 to 6:00 for road repairs at Coolidge (MM 44) due to a constant pothole problem. The only way the New Mexico Department of Transportation can make effective repairs is to close the highway.

From KOAT:

The New Mexico State Police have alerted motorists planning to travel east on I-40 through Gallup, that the road will be closed at Exit 16 between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 27 and 28.

With no detour available at that location, travelers have been advised to seek overnight accommodations in Gallup.

Exiting eastbound out of the city will be prohibited during the planned night work. No detour is available. Traffic will not be permitted to use local routes.

Potholes Return To Coolidge

Above, today and before the storms. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that we will have another week of rain and snow.

As such, I went to the Flying J to pick up a couple of gallons of water for the coffeemaker so I won't run out during the storm(s). While heading there, I saw a long line of cars and trucks stopped on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40. Cars and trucks were stopped in the southbound lane of the overpass to the Flying J. As the northbound lane was clear, I headed over. 

I saw several cars pass the stopped vehicles on the bridge by going south in the northbound lane. I figured I'd do the same. According to the county office of emergency management, the construction area at Coolidge has the single detour lane under repair, thanks to Phineas G. Pothole. This has become an everyday occurrence.

I got what I needed and headed home. I passed the stopped vehicles on the overpass bridge by going around them in the northbound lane. No problems.

So now, all I have to contend with is the coming storm that should be hitting here tonight.

According to the National Weather Service, the week in Jamestown, New Mexico looks like this:

Tonight

A slight chance of rain showers before 9pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday

Rain and snow showers likely before 3pm, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night

A chance of rain showers before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday

Rain and snow showers, becoming all rain after noon. High near 45. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy, with a south wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Wednesday

Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Breezy.

Thursday

A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

El Rancho and the "Land of Potholes"

Above, this morning's huevos rancheros at the El Rancho Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I had to go into Gallup to pick up my meds and then do some shopping at Walmart.

After I was done, I decided to grab some breakfast at the El Rancho Hotel's restaurant. I had huevos rancheros (for those inquiring minds).

When I was done and was about to enjoy another cup of coffee, I saw online that Interstate 40 would be closed at 11:00 at mile marker 45 for pothole repair. This pothole problem has been occurring almost daily and each time the repairs are made during the day instead of at night when there's little traffic.

Since it was around 10:05, I decided to pay my meal check and beeline it home before the highway is closed and traffic gets backed up for miles.

I made it home way before 11:00 so that worked out great. 

Here We Go Again, I-40 Closed

Above, stopped traffic on I-40 near Coolidge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing I went into Gallup to pick up a strongbox (that I was having re-keyed) and do some quick grocery shopping earlier this morning.

I received the following email from McKinley County:

Per the New Mexico Department of Transportation as of 11:23 a.m.

Eastbound I-40 is closed at mile marker 44 (Coolidge Interchange) while crews repair the roadway through the construction zone. NO DETOUR AVAILABLE. WATCH FOR SLOW MOVING OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. EXPECT DELAYS. This event will be updated on NMRoads.com as conditions change.

It is estimated that the Interstate will be closed for about two hours. I was stuck in stopped traffic yesterday as road crews were repairing a large pothole. It appears the pothole problem is back today.

Fortunately, I am at home and just finished running the mini-bike and Jeep for a while. Despite fixing a couple of things on the Jeep, it is still running a bit ratty (I drove it around the block). I'll have to bring it into the mechanic's when the weather is warmer during spring.

Stuck In Traffic

Above, looking east near Coolidge. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After checking my mailbox at the Flying J, I decided to go do some grocery shopping in Thoreau.

Unfortunately, it took me over and hour and a half to go the 15 miles to Thoreau. Eastbound Interstate 40 ground to a halt at the construction area at the Coolidge off-ramp. It seems that a large pothole formed in the single lane that was open. So the New Mexico Department of Transportation stopped all traffic so that repairs could be made.

Above, looking west. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

They did do a temporary fix last night, but that came apart today. We sat stopped for an hour and a half for the repairs could be done. 

Luckily for me, I wasn't too far from the beginning of the stoppage as traffic was jammed all the way to Gallup. When we got the go-ahead to proceed at 1:45, I was able to get going and out of the area in no time.

After doing my shopping and was headed back home, I saw a line of traffic as long as the eye can see in the eastbound lanes.

Why L.A.'s Potholes Aren't Getting Repaired

Street Artists in Los Angeles put up street signs this week across the city calling out the City Council on their sanctuary city policies.

The signs warned against potholes and read “REPAIR FUNDS Diverted To Subsidize Welfare For Illegal Aliens Thanks To Your City Council Members” and listed City Council members Gil Cedillo, Paul Koretz, Herb Wesson, Mike Bonin and Jose Huizar.