Balloon Fiesta neighbors angry about proposed Rail Runner spur line
Balloon Fiesta neighbors feel angry and ignored about a proposed Rail Runner spur line which could run within feet of the homes of those who live in the North Edith area.
Mayor Tim Keller proposed the idea , along with two other projects, as a solution to help alleviate fiesta traffic problems.
"We got new housing here, they are wanting to come through our properties, we like our rural area, ya know," said resident Robert Gurule.
Gurule is just one of several neighbors in the area who doesn't want the spur line running through their backyards.
"I don't see how it's going to help anything, and it's going to cost a lot of money, it's only going to be used for probably 10 days a year," said Sondra Diepen.
The proposed spur line would branch off of the main railroad. It would then loop around and cross Edith Boulevard and follow the North Diversion Channel.
"We are looking at all the options, and we'll have conversations," Lawrence Rael, the chief operating officer with the City of Albuquerque."This is not going to happen next month, it's not going to happen before the next Balloon Fiesta," he said.
While the proposed project is just an idea right now.
"It is dumb, and it's just a lot of expense we have to pay for," Gurule said.
Some residents feel ignored by city officials.
"We do care about them, if we didn't care about them, we wouldn't be looking at the transportation issues," Rael said.
Rael said he isn't sure how much a spur line would cost, but according to a study, a spur line could cost anywhere from $8 million to $11 million.
Residents started a petition against the project. At least four neighborhood associations oppose the proposed projects.
During session, lawmakers approved a bill that included $7.5 million in funding to help with traffic issues. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has yet to sign it.