NMDOT Proposes Interim Measures, Stops Short of Traffic Signal at NM 528

RIO RANCHO, On December 23 the New Mexico Department of Transportation presented a traffic study and a package of interim measures intended to reduce accidents along a dangerous stretch of NM 528 around Pasilla and Riverside roads. The study concluded that a traffic signal is not currently warranted during weekdays, prompting NMDOT to recommend a shorter term approach while officials gather more data.

The proposal calls for installing intersection delineators to prevent left turns from Pasilla and Riverside onto NM 528, adding stop signs on Pasilla and Riverside, enhancing pavement markings, and exploring placement of speed cameras pending approval. NMDOT officials said they will monitor traffic volumes and the countermeasures' effectiveness for a period of six months to a year before deciding on longer term action.

Local leaders questioned aspects of the interim plan during the presentation. Mayor Gregg Hull and City Councilors Nicole List and Bob Tyler raised concerns that delineators and forced U turns could create new safety risks and hinder emergency response vehicles trying to reach calls along the corridor. State Representative Alan Martinez expressed skepticism that the measures would be effective and urged officials to push for a permanent traffic signal instead.

For residents and commuters the proposal would change how drivers approach the Pasilla and Riverside intersections, funneling left turning vehicles into designated U turn patterns and imposing new stop controls. The possibility of speed cameras introduces an enforcement component that will require separate approvals, and drivers may see changes in traffic flow while NMDOT collects data.

NMDOT plans additional public outreach, including a town hall meeting, to discuss the proposal and gather community input as it monitors performance. The agency will use the monitoring window to determine whether the interim measures reduce crash frequency and to reassess whether a traffic signal or other permanent engineering changes are warranted. Until then residents and emergency services will be watching how the temporary measures affect safety and response times along this busy corridor.