Good Friday is April 14
Every year on Good Friday, thousands of people walk to Chimayo in observance of the Easter holiday. Many of them walk along heavily used roads, such as NM 502 and 503 and U.S. 84-285.
This year, the state Department of Transportation and local law enforcement agencies will be working together to make the roadway safer for walkers.
Capt. Terry Delgado of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office said that beginning about noon next Thursday (April 13), traffic patrols will be increased on U.S. 84-285 when the majority of walkers begin their journey. The increased law enforcement presence - including DWI and traffic enforcement units and checkpoints - will continue through Easter Sunday afternoon.
"We see an increase [in walkers] starting Thursday and safety becomes an issue," said Delgado.
Sheriff's deputies will be assisted by State Police, the Española Police Department, Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Department, and officers from Tesuque, Pojoaque and Nambe pueblos and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In addition, personnel from volunteer fire departments in Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties will be assisting with first aid services and normal calls for medical assistance.
He said sheriff's deputies will hand out 3,000 glow-in-the-dark sticks to walkers beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at the south Tesuque exit at U.S. 84-285; the NM 503 - U.S. 84-285 intersection; and at the NM 106 and NM 76 intersection. The glow sticks make walkers more visible to motorists at night, Delgado said.
Motorists are asked to not park or stop their vehicles on the shoulder of U.S. 84-285, and walkers should be dropped off at areas that are safe and clear of traffic, said Karyn Lujan of the state transportation department.
Walkers are asked to stay as far to the right as possible on the paved shoulder and to consider using the on/off ramps at each interchange between Santa Fe and Cuyamungue. Temporary stop signs will be placed at interchange locations to allow walkers to pass through. Signs and message boards also will be set up on U.S. 84-285 alerting motorists to pedestrians along the highway, Lujan added.
Delgado of the Sheriff’s Office suggested that walkers purchase reflective tape and apply it to clothing, or wear reflective safety vests over clothing. "If you have some type of safety vest or anything that is reflective or will illuminate the body, we recommend you wear that," he said. Delgado also urged people making the annual walk not to smoke, to discard cigarettes in proper containers and not to use any flammable devices.
Motorists should reduce speeds and drive as far away from the road shoulder as possible, said Delgado. "Pay attention to speed and your driving and don't drink and drive," he said, adding, "Hopefully we'll have enough of a presence out there that we won't have too many problems."
Delgado also provided these safety tips for walkers:
• Wear bright clothing, especially Thursday night, traditionally the busiest evening during the weeklong event
• Take a flashlight and water
• Dress warmly and in layers and wear comfortable shoes and consider taking a raincoat
• Don’t cross onto the roadway
• Walk in groups of at least three or more for safety reasons.
Delgado also said that pedestrians shouldn’t walk on the U.S. 84-285 overpass at NM 502, but rather, should use County Road 84 E to County Road 109 S and then onto NM 503.
"We're trying to make this as safe a pilgrimage as we can," said Delgado.
