by Deborah Harvey
Daily Lobo
The New Mexico State Fair is well under way and with it comes more traffic.
Many businesses have already been affected by the construction of the Louisiana/I-40 interchange scheduled for completion Nov. 15.
"Our business has been affected in a big way," said Joseph Trujillo, manager of the Burger King on the corner of Lomas and Louisiana boulevards. "About 35 percent of our business was taken away due to the construction."
But Phil Gallegos, state Department of Transportation spokesman, said the state fair was considered when setting lane and freeway closures.
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He said a clause was built into the contract that allows the interstate to be open later than usual during fair time.
The closing time has been pushed back to midnight through Lomas and around the fairgrounds, he said.
The fair brings thousands of people into Albuquerque every year. Those traveling on I-40 or Louisiana will have to find alternate routes when lanes and ramps are closed.
The majority of the construction ends between Constitution Avenue and Louisiana as the streets approach the fairgrounds.
"I think the construction has gone very smooth," said Sandy Chun, vice president of operations at Excel on the corner of Constitution and Louisiana. "It's not easy, but we put a game plan together to use and an alternate plan if things became too bad."
There are several alternate routes to the state fair to avoid construction. Drivers can use Lomas, Central Avenue and San Pedro Drive instead. ABQ Ride also offers park-and-ride services from Winrock Center and from Coors Boulevard and St. Joseph's Drive on the Westside. Through ABQ Ride, Route 66 Central Avenue Services will run buses until Sept. 18 to the fairgrounds every 30 minutes.
Fairgoers can also hop on those buses between Wenonah Avenue and Bridge Boulevard, which will run until midnight.
