TRAFFIC WATCH: U.S. 70 snarled this morning for "Due Date' film...

Hollywood has struck a blow at Las Cruces commuters this morning. Residents face half-hour delays coming down the hill while filming crews close a main traffic pathway into the city.

[kcat]

half hour wait it took me an hour and a half to get to work. I could not get out of las colinas.

[LC Native]

Mayor Miyagashima - [e-mail]

Councillor Gil Jones - [e-mail]

Councillor Sharon Thomas - [e-mail]

City Manager Terrence Moore - [e-mail]

As I drove by today the eastbound traffic was horrendous. Traffic backed up for miles and miles and not moving at all, not even slowly.

As for traffic managment by police, there was none. They had their lights on to warn people but there was absolutely no active management of this mess.

[Tyler]

It started next Tuesday? Interesting grammar, SunNews.

Thank God I dont have to go there

[LC Native]

A half hour wait: absolute BS!!!

More like hour and a half.

[LCG]

This is why it was in the news for the past couple of weeks, so that we can be prepared.
When will Las Cruces grow up?

[LCMom]

My daughter's bus was 45 min late picking her up. It then took them 1/2 an hour just to get out of Las Colinas. What a mess. There is only one way in and one way out of there - right into the detour... At least it will slow down traffic on the Las Colinas Speedway.

[Zin a little]

I live in the Rinconada North subdivision, I guess we are really lucky to have the back road of Settler's Pass to Del Rey to get out, I got to work only 7 minutes later than usual, and I commute an hour. I do feel sorry for those coming from East of us though. I guess the next filming day people will plan more ahead of time.

[LC resident]

What happens to those of us that live on the East Mesa and God forbid we have an emergency? Is it all worth it for a few bucks?

[Las Colinas Area]

There was no "half hour" wait in the Las Colinas area more like an hour wait, this is ridiculous. As for the 100 extras that were going to be hired, it turns out they only hired 15 people. My friend received an email stating that they were sorry she was not chosen for an extra that they were only able to hire 15 people. What is this movie bringing to Las Cruces???

[LC resident]

LCG wrote:

This is why it was in the news for the past couple of weeks, so that we can be prepared.
When will Las Cruces grow up?

You obivously don't live up on the East Mesa. Even taking the advise from the newspaper and traffic department didn't solve the mess that was there this morning!

[what]

What does Las Cruces get out of it? More pollution from idling cars. More profit at the gas stations becuase of more fuel burned.

[Zin a little]

Las Colinas Area wrote:

There was no "half hour" wait in the Las Colinas area more like an hour wait, this is ridiculous. As for the 100 extras that were going to be hired, it turns out they only hired 15 people. My friend received an email stating that they were sorry she was not chosen for an extra that they were only able to hire 15 people. What is this movie bringing to Las Cruces???

Well, where do you think that the crew and cast and directors are staying? Most likely the Staybridge Suites, which is locally owned and operated. Where will they eat? Restaurants all throughout town. With the economy having been what it is for the last year, its a blessing to have more people in town to spend their money on our local places, and support business and our economy for once.

Dont you think it will be awesome to see a big name movie come out with our gorgeous Organ Mountains as a backdrop? Its an inconvenience to us all for a short amount of time, but sometimes its not always just about what you want and what you think. These next 3 weeks are going to be the busiest weeks of the year for me, but you know what, it is what it is, so we all need to just deal with it and prepare better for it, instead of sitting around whining about it.

[LC Native]

I just loved the sign on I-25 just before the US-70 turn off:

"Special Event
US70 Closed
Seek Alt. Route"

No detour sign or anything else planned. Just kind of a "closed ahead and you're scr*w*d"

[LC Native]

LC resident wrote:

What happens to those of us that live on the East Mesa and God forbid we have an emergency? Is it all worth it for a few bucks?

To be more exact, the film company is paying $000,000.

[wow]

Leave it up to the officials to have this lovely money maker going on for LC and also during the construction month from hell particularly on Del Rey. I am just loving those huge @$$ potholes in front of the daycare and the hospital out there--but thanks to the gentleman who patched them up Saturday evening. But seriously what else needs to be done on Del Rey for that stretch?? Pave it already!

[Angry commuter]

"The first closure started early next Tuesday"...wow. Just as smart as the closure itself.

[Las Colinas Area]

Zin a little wrote:

<quoted text>
Well, where do you think that the crew and cast and directors are staying? Most likely the Staybridge Suites, which is locally owned and operated. Where will they eat? Restaurants all throughout town. With the economy having been what it is for the last year, its a blessing to have more people in town to spend their money on our local places, and support business and our economy for once.
Dont you think it will be awesome to see a big name movie come out with our gorgeous Organ Mountains as a backdrop? Its an inconvenience to us all for a short amount of time, but sometimes its not always just about what you want and what you think. These next 3 weeks are going to be the busiest weeks of the year for me, but you know what, it is what it is, so we all need to just deal with it and prepare better for it, instead of sitting around whining about it.

Obviously you are were not affected by the traffic this morning. You really think they are going to eat at local restaurants? More than likely their food will be catered in by local caterers (which I have to agree is a good thing for them, and I am glad they are getting business). But let’s get real, we were all told to leave 30 minutes earlier right well that did not help one bit! There is one way in Las Colinas and one way out. Way to think of yourself "going to be the busiest weeks of the year for me," (you stated) you are obviously benefiting in some way, Lucky you! But you expect the rest of us who are inconvenienced stating that we are "whining," it’s called freedom of speech not whining.

[Angry commuter]

It is the point of the matter that they would do this during the busiest times of the day. I live off porter, left an extra 30 minutes early..and still missed my class on campus. I am so angry with this town and this state. Idiots.

LCG wrote:

This is why it was in the news for the past couple of weeks, so that we can be prepared.
When will Las Cruces grow up?

[Jim]

Half hour delay? Where was that at? It took me over an hour to from my house to hwy 70 this morning. I only live 1 mile up the road from hwy 70. Then it was another 45 mins to finish my drive to work. I sure would like to know where it was only an half an hour delay so I could be in that line. This was crazy today. I even lift for work 45 mins early planning ahead for the delay but I had no idea it was going be anything like this. The city needs to reconsider the times on the filming on this deal and the impact it is having on the community members.

[kcat]

LCG wrote:

This is why it was in the news for the past couple of weeks, so that we can be prepared.
When will Las Cruces grow up?

I did plan left an half hour earlier and was still late jerk.