MORE ON THOSE ‘PANDEMIC’ BACKUPS: After the April 12 column on drive-through lines backing up into major roadways, frustrated readers are sharing their opinions and suggestions for improvement.
George Sims says, “Your article on the Starbucks backing up traffic on Golf Course south of Paseo del Norte as well as preventing safe entrance to the shopping center from both north- and southbound traffic on Golf Course is spot on – but the city reply is not.
“Using the pandemic is a common excuse lately to not deal with issues and deflect a solution. It’s appalling the city is saying that. That Starbucks moved locations before there was a pandemic – they were by the UPS Store – and the problem began when they opened up much BEFORE the pandemic. Someone dropped the ball both in design and in approving the traffic pattern, and it appears now they want to look the other way. I’d appreciate if you press them to tell you when the Starbucks actually opened and then say it’s the pandemic.”
Basil says, “You should write more letters like this. The drive-through traffic has nothing to do with the pandemic. Multiple accidents occurred in this stretch before the pandemic. It is a purely bad civil engineering design. The entrance to Starbucks should be closed, and the lower (shopping center) entrance should be expanded to accommodate Starbucks and other stores. Does the city or UNM have a civil engineering department?”
Sam R. emails, “The new Dutch Bros. coffee shop on Juan Tabo falls into the ‘traffic hazard’ category now, with vehicles filling the drive-through lanes and backing up into the southbound right lane. Haven’t seen any accidents there yet, but have seen a few near-misses.”
Van writes, “Regarding Starbucks at Golf Course and Paseo … this has been a long-term problem but certainly exacerbated by the COVID impact. Prior it was difficult to get into a couple of times a day, now fairly frequently as the ‘drive-through line-to-order station’ comes back out all the way (onto the) Golf Course turn-off lane (in)to (the) strip mall. I am not a rocket scientist but saw this problem prior to all the drive-through from COVID and have seen many near-accidents and a couple of fender benders there.”
And Paul Schmolke has a suggestion: “I’ve been watching this for just over a year as a recently widowed man observant of the voluntary COVID quarantine, and I’d like to add that all three Golden Pride locations know how to deal with traffic issues better than anything I’ve seen except McDonald’s. Rudy’s is another, although their drive-up service is for phone orders. Powdrell’s on East Central is another, once again with phone-in and drive-up service. Perhaps the ‘problem’ places should be observant of their brethren. City traffic engineers could also be enlightened by doing the same. This is one area where Santa Fe beats Albuquerque badly.”
Jerry does too: (The April 12) column – “I am very familiar with Petroglyph Plaza – reminds me of something readers have touched upon before, and my pet peeve. When you are in line at a drive through, or a traffic light, or the Costco gas lines, etc., TIGHTEN UP, PEOPLE! I was in line at Costco the other day and drivers were totally oblivious, leaving a whole empty car length in front of them while pandemonium reigned behind!
“I doubt we will get the message across, but do keep trying. Thanks.”
IT’S DONATE LIFE MONTH: And the state Motor Vehicle Division is encouraging residents to celebrate it by becoming organ donors when they get or renew their driver’s licenses or ID cards.
You’ll be in good company, MVD says in a news release that “939,709 New Mexicans with driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards are registered as donors. Out of about 136,000 people issued credentials this year through March 31, 74,540 chose to become organ donors. That gives New Mexico a Donor Designation Rate of around 55%, well above the national average of 47%.”
And becoming a donor is easy. The release says, “The option to sign up as an organ donor is the second question on the New Mexico driver’s license application. People of all ages and medical histories are encouraged to register.”
Remember that in addition to major organs, donations of tissue, tendons, skin, bone, etc. can change a recipient’s life. I have friends and family members who could walk and see because of the gift of tissue, tendons, bone and corneas.
If it’s not license/ID renewal time, you can become a donor online at registerme.org.
Editorial page editor D’Val Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
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April 26, 2021 at 11:06AM
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Design, businesses blamed for drive-through drama - Albuquerque Journal
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