That's according to Phil Gallegos, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation.

Westbound lanes are being choked down to one lane for 3.5 miles between the Zuzax exit and Tijeras for 210 days, or until October. It's bringing traffic to a crawl from 7 to 8:30 a.m., Gallegos said.

"We didn't know this was going to be like this until we turned it loose," he said. "It's a huge traffic snarl during peak hours."

Westbound I-40 was reduced to one lane last year for 75 days, a little west of the current project, and didn't have nearly the results of this project, he said.

That's probably because of the location, he said. There are two short, westbound on-ramps in Tijeras that are causing a problem and people are rushing ahead at the point where the freeway goes to one lane and then not being allowed to merge.

The DOT is attempting to lengthen the on-ramps and is re-timing the lights on Old Route 66 in Tijeras to accommodate increased traffic. Gallegos also praised the contractor, Mountain States Constructors, saying the company is very aggressive and may get the job done in less than 210 days, weather permitting.

"We're doing the best we can to mitigate that, and we could sure use some help," Gallegos said.

By help, he means people being courteous, using turn signals and generally allowing traffic to flow smoothly.

So far, he's gotten a lot of angry phone calls, e-mails and suggestions for solutions that the DOT is not able to do.

One of those suggestions is to open the freeway up to two lanes in both directions. That's impossible, though, because the bridges are just not large enough to accommodate four lanes and construction.

Another suggestion he has gotten was to open up two lanes on westbound I-40 in the morning and switch to two lanes eastbound in the evening.

Gallegos said that would mean the DOT would have to put out cones, rather than concrete barriers. With the high volume of tractor-trailers and the hills in the area, he said the barriers are needed to protect construction workers in danger.

"Those are some of the common, quick-fixes that people are suggesting that just don't work," he said. "If they understand it, it will make it a little bit easier for everyone to pitch in and muddle through this the best we can."

Lydia Koch, an East Mountains resident who has been actively involved in area traffic concerns, suggested people use the Park and Ride system to help relieve traffic congestion. For more information, contact Phil Gallegos at 841-2764 or go to www.nmparkandride.com.