The city of Albuquerque and state of New Mexico this week announced separate investigations into the city's controversial and troubled Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus system. The Albuquerque Journal reported late Wednesday the city's inspector general recently began a review of processes, funding and procedures with in the project. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported Thursday the state's auditor … Continue reading City, state to investigate Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Tag: Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Mayor: Albuquerque Rapid Transit “a bit of a lemon”
New Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller this week said problems besetting Albuquerque Rapid Transit are so deep and many, it will take months before the controversial bus system along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) becomes fully operational. “The problems are much worse than I think anyone believed. ... This project is a bit of a lemon,” … Continue reading Mayor: Albuquerque Rapid Transit “a bit of a lemon”
Albuquerque still waiting for ART grant from feds
New Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller can't be too happy with his predecessor now. Not only is his city facing a budget deficit of about $10 million, but the city still hasn't received $75 million in federal money to help pay for the now-completed Albuquerque Rapid Transit project more than a year after it began construction. … Continue reading Albuquerque still waiting for ART grant from feds
Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
The controversial $119 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) began operation 13 months after construction began. Reporters and dignitaries boarded one of the all-electric buses for its maiden voyage Saturday. One of the buses running Saturday was a Route 66-themed vehicle. Mayor Richard Berry, who shepherded the ART project to … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
Business owners say ART work will hurt Route 66 festival
Businesses along the Nob Hill sector in Albuquerque say next month's Route 66 Summerfest will be hampered by ongoing Albuquerque Rapid Transit construction. In a featured guest column signed by 16 other business owners in the Albuquerque Journal, Stone Mountain Bead Gallery owner Robert Steinberg said a recent article about how crews will be finished with … Continue reading Business owners say ART work will hurt Route 66 festival
Federal spending bill includes some funding for Albuquerque Rapid Transit
A federal spending bill passed by Congress this week and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday gives most of the money -- but not all -- to finish the controversial $119 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit project. The Albuquerque Journal confirmed a few days before the signing the $1.1 trillion bill contained funds for the project that would … Continue reading Federal spending bill includes some funding for Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Trump budget contains no money for Albuquerque Rapid Transit — for now
President Donald Trump's proposed budget for the 2018 fiscal year contains no federal money for Albuquerque Rapid Transit -- news that caused anxiety with some city officials and ART supporters. Mayor Richard Berry remains confident the $119 million ART project to convert nine miles of Central Avenue (aka Route 66) into dedicated bus lanes will receive its $69 … Continue reading Trump budget contains no money for Albuquerque Rapid Transit — for now
Albuquerque Rapid Transit foes drop lawsuit against it
Opponents of the ongoing Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) this week dropped a lawsuit that sought to stop the construction. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stop construction after a lower court ruled the project could proceed. The Albuquerque Journal reported: Yolanda Gallegos, an attorney for the plaintiffs … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit foes drop lawsuit against it
Central Avenue businesses report 30 percent drop from ART construction
Construction on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus project began on Central Avenue in earnest a few weeks ago, and the results are not pretty -- several businesses are reporting as much as a 30 percent drop in revenue. KOAT-TV cited the 30-percent figure during a recent story about the project along the city's Route 66 corridor. Gabriel … Continue reading Central Avenue businesses report 30 percent drop from ART construction
Appeals court clears ART project; city still hasn’t received grant
An appeals court this week affirmed a lower court's ruling the massive Albuquerque Rapid Transit project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) can proceed. However, the city still hasn't received a crucial $69 million grant to fund the mass-transit bus project, more than 10 months after it was recommended by the Federal Transportation Administration. The fact the 10th … Continue reading Appeals court clears ART project; city still hasn’t received grant