"There's been a little congestion at peak times, but it's been going very smooth," Farmington Mayor Bill Standley said. "It's been a very good operation."
The trip from the parking lot outside the rodeo to U.S. 64 took just seven minutes Wednesday, Standley said. Days earlier, the same trip was taking approximately 20 minutes, he recalled.
To ensure traffic keeps flowing, officers from Farmington, Aztec, Bloomfield and state police are assisting the San Juan County Sheriff's Office to monitor traffic, and change traffic lights by remote to ensure there is as little backup as possible when spectators leave the park en masse following evening performances.
"In the nighttime when it's over and everyone leaves at once, we've actually found as long as we can keep the traffic moving, people are happy," Sheriff's Lt.
Just before performances are scheduled to end, more than 35 police officers and fire department volunteers are sent to designated congestion areas to wave the traffic flow, or report locations where backups are beginning via radio.
"There really hasn't been any major delays at all," Utley said.
Only minor accidents involving parked cars have been reported, he said, although extra officers are available to respond to potential accidents without delay to clear the roadway quickly.
The traffic load was lightened significantly by the state Department of Transportation's decision days before the event began to pause roadway construction on U.S. 64, allowing drivers to utilize all four lanes of the busy thoroughfare, Standley said.
Drivers also have taken advantage of several alternate routes, including Browning Parkway and County Road 350, which has lightened the number of cars on U.S. 64, the mayor said.
"The commitment our community has to make sure this thing goes off seamlessly and without any problems has just been a wonderful effort to watch," Standley said.
The rodeo continues today through Saturday at McGee Park.
James Monteleone: jmonteleone@daily-times.com
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