Dangerous ABQ intersection the scene of multiple accidents

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A recent fatal accident in a northwest Albuquerque intersection is drawing attention to what neighbors have known for years - a dangerous stretch of road that needs a stoplight before anyone else gets hurt.

Neighbors say they’ve asked the city for a streetlight at the intersection at Unser and Molten Rock for years. The city has finally agreed.

Police say that on Friday, a drunk driver pulled into the intersection killing the motorcyclist traveling southbound on Unser.

Nearby resident Joseph Martinez says he’s warned the city of the intersection for the past five years.

“They've indicated they would not put lights up because it was not warranted, that there's not enough traffic - even though there's been five accidents here I've witnessed,” Martinez said.

In fact, traffic statistics show there have been at least seven accidents just in the past two years 

Without the light, residents have major problems making a safe left turn.

“My wife works at Volcano Vista High School,” said neighborhood resident Ralph Davis. “She comes out at 7 AM and she might have to wait for ten minutes just to get over to the middle. “

And in a 45 mile per hour zone, even a speed sign doesn’t seem to slow people down.

“With the speed monitoring signs up, we've seen it go all the way up to 80 miles and hour,” Martinez said.

The city says it studied the intersection back in 2010 and at that time they say it didn't have enough traffic to warrant a stop light. But a study done in January shows the volume of traffic now warrants the stop light, according to the city’s standards.

“That signal has been programmed into the 2013 General Obligation bond package that will be going before voters this year in October,” said Mark Motsko of the city’s Municipal Development department.

If voters approve the bond, the city says it can begin work on the light in early 2014.

Residents say that won’t be soon enough.