Albuquerque drivers have 511 frustration

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Interstate 40 was a mess throughout the day Monday, but if local residents called the State's road conditions hotline, they might not know about the congestion.

News 13 was contacted by about a dozen frustrated drivers concerned that the hotline made no mention of the local freeway closure.

Here's what the message said about traffic in the metro around 2 p.m. Monday.

"For traffic information on I-40 or I-25 in the Albuquerque area press 2. You may experience some delays associated with maintenance and construction."

That was the only mention of any trouble on Interstate 40 unless residents requested freeway conditions statewide.

KRQE News 13 call the state department to ask why?

Officials said they were unaware of the problem and fixed it immediately after we called.

The department also updated it's electronic messaging boards which as of 4:30 p.m. Monday told drivers starting at the Arizona/New Mexico state line that all eastbound lanes of I-40 were shut down and drivers should seek local accommodations.

Due to the closure city streets were impacted as well. There were heavy back ups on Tramway, Central and Menaul.

State transportation officials say they're keeping the closure in place through Tuesday morning at the request of Texas state officials. Residents there are experiencing blizzard-like conditions and very slick roads.