Opponents of the $120 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit plan last week lost their courtroom bid to stop it, and construction likely will begin by Wednesday.
However, ART foes still have a couple of arrows left in their quiver.
— ART opponents filed an appeal one day after the federal judge’s ruling late Friday to turn down a preliminary injunction against the bus-line project, according to a report by KRQE-TV. It’s unknown when the appellate court will hear the case, but it won’t be for weeks.
— The Albuquerque Journal also reported in early July opponents are trying to gather 14,000 signatures for a petition to let Albuquerque voters decide the fate of the project. They have until the end of August to get the necessary number of signatures — a tall order in a short time. If the proper number of signatures are certified, it will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.
However, in both cases, ART construction likely would be well underway by that point.
Although it’s been reported a majority of business owners along Central Avenue oppose ART, it’s by no means unanimous. We have this example and this one as its supporters. But the owner of Scalo testified during the lawsuit last week he likely would lay off employees and cut the restaurant’s hours if ART were built.
There’s little doubt the 15- to 18-month construction will be disruptive. That’s why Route 66 businesses had better avail themselves of a low- or no-interest loan program to help make improvements during the meantime.
(Artist’s rendering of an Albuquerque Rapid Transit station)