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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A large and sometimes unruly crowd attended a recent meeting on proposed transportation improvements near 12th Street and Menaul that include the possibility of a roundabout and expanded sidewalks.

Some people were angry about the proposed 10-foot sidewalk along 12th Street, while others scoffed at the roundabout idea, with one woman loudly objecting to the use of the word “queue.”

About 70 residents packed a room at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center recently to hear plans for the area, which ranges from Interstate 40 to just north of Menaul and lies between 12th Street and Los Tomases Drive. Proposed improvements would follow the “Great Street” concept, which aims to accommodate all modes of transportation, including cyclists and pedestrians.

The improvements are planned by the city in anticipation of future development. Jim Heimann, project lead engineer, said the master plan for the Albuquerque Indian School site includes 468,000 square feet of federal office space, 72,500 square feet of retail space and possibly a hotel.

More information

Visit the project website at Visit the project website at 12thandmenaul.org

The plan also includes eight- to 10-foot sidewalks along 12th Street, six- to eight-foot sidewalks along Menaul and possibly bike lanes on both streets.

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One man in the audience yelled, “Ten-foot sidewalks are a waste of money. Nobody walks anymore. How can you justify a sidewalk of that size?”

Planners said the larger sidewalks provide a safer environment for pedestrians.

Heimann then turned to the proposed roundabout at Menaul and 12th. He said a one-lane roundabout would create a traffic backup at rush hour, so planners are recommending two lanes. Heimann referred to the “queue” of cars that would form as traffic waited to enter the roundabout.

This angered one woman in the audience.

“This is America!” she yelled. “We don’t say ‘queues’ in America. We say ‘lines.’ We stand in line, we wait in line. We do not queue.”

Presenters abandoned the word “queue” for the remainder of the meeting.