News in Albuquerque

[billeyler]

The biggest local news lately has been the startup of the commuter train from Downtown to Bernalillo (15 miles north of ABQ). The last time a 'commuter' train ran was 1934...and the population was only 35,000 here then, so can't imagine what the commuting was about.

Over the next two years, the line will be extended from Downtown south to Belen (30 miles south) and last but not least, to Santa Fe (65 miles north).

The link is http://www.nmrailrunner.com/FAQ.asp

I envision it something like CalTrain running up and down our 100 mile corridor, with new development springing up around the terminals, which are apparently almost completed. And of course acres of ample Park n Ride areas.

Rio Rancho is getting the first benefits of it, being Albuquerque's only real connected suburb with a population of nearly 100,000 and quickly growing. There are already commuter shuttles from the UNM north campus to the train line downtown (15 minutes).

The governor has been pushing the project along for the several years he's been in office. The first 3 months of service are free, so we'll have to hop and see how it works!

Comments

Off topic

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

Hi there, i thought i'd introduce myself as i've added you to my f-list. I'm contemplating moving to New Mexico in six months to a year or so. I lived there several summers while working in Los Alamos and fell in love with the landscape, elemental and so highly charged. I'm adding some New Mexico folks to my reading so that i can get a sense of the place now, rather than my fifteen year old memories.

Re: Off topic

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

Hello, Elaine...quite a list of interests and friends you have going there on your LJ!

My posts on LJ you'll probably find rather boring, most of them being about gay square dance, gay country-western dancing, and home remodeling and gardening.

But I have lived here 25 years as of April 1, and still enjoy this area more than many other areas. I have friends in Mountain View and the bay area in general.

Bill

Re: Off topic

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

Home remodeling and gardening are fascinating topics, and i respect lots of dancing folk. I suppose the dancing scene in the Bay Area is less clearly gay/straight , but i do know that at least some Castro square dance groups used the San Francisco Friends School as a center.

I'm aware that New Mexico is one of the few states with trans protections in state law. One of the biggest uncertainties is leaving an area where we're out about my spouse's trans status (or that we're more than best friends). A healthy gay square dance community seems a good thing.

Thanks for the welcome!