Limits Sought For New Mexico Road Booths

The New Mexico Department of Transportation has asked law enforcement to enforce a state law that does not allow booths and concession stands along state highways.

Transportation officials are concerned about the annual pilgrimages in the Santa Fe-area that draw lines of people along the roads leading to the northern New Mexico village of Chimayo on the Thursday and Friday before Easter.

State officials tell the Santa Fe New Mexican they are concerned about rest booths drawing crowds or causing people to walk too close to traffic.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia says he will cooperate with the state Transportation Department but won’t order his deputies to issue citations to booth operators for simply handing out water and oranges to walkers.