Saturday, March 29, 2008

Consolidation of rail crossings is OK'd

Kenn Rodriguez News-Bulletin Staff Writer; krodriguez@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas The approval of a resolution by the Los Lunas Village Council supporting railroad crossing consolidations on N.M. 314 north of Main Street will mean fewer railroad crossings and more safety for residents in that area.

The council on Thursday unanimously voted to approve a resolution allowing the Mid-Region Council of Governments to consolidate six private crossings along North N.M. 314 down to two crossings.

The two crossings would be consolidated at Blaylock Street and across from Allen Street.

Chris Blewett, New Mexico Rail Runner project manager for MR-COG, said by approving the resolution, the council would enable his agency to seek the funds to complete the consolidations.

Blewett said that public meetings in December between area residents, MR-COG and the village allowed the agency to move forward with the consolidation plans.

"We've gotten general public support," Blewett said in addressing the council. "I think everyone understands how this will improve safety in the Rail Runner corridor."

Art Mondragon, director of community development for the village, said the overall aim was safety along the railway.

"We had two or three meetings preliminarily with them, then we attended the meeting with the neighbors and (discussed) possible alternatives for closures," he said. "We got opposition from residents near Allen Street, but they've since approved of it.

"But now we'll have these gated crossings so that people won't come across the railroad crossings without warning. It'll be a lot safer."

Blewett said the cost of the project could run anywhere from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, and that MR-COG would try to get the money from state and federal sources.

The council also approved accepting the Desert Sky and Trailside subdivisions in the Huning Ranch area west of interstate 25.

Mondragon said city engineers had recommended that the village accept the areas for maintenance, certifying that the municipality's regulations on infrastructure - water, utilities, sewer, sidewalks and gutters, lighting and drainage - had been met.

Mondragon added that the two subdivisions have their own drainage ponds that the developers will maintain.

Mayor Louis Huning recused himself from the discussion, which was led by mayor pro-tem Cecilia "C.C." Castillo.

The council also heard an update from Kerry Collins on Valencia County's Integrated Water and Wastewater Master Plan.

Collins said the county is entering phase two of the planning process, coming up with alternatives and setting criteria, after a round of public input meetings that began in January. Collins said the county hopes to have the master plan done by December.

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