44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO HELP ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEMS IN THE CITY OF ESPANOLA AND TO INSTALL TWO TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT CERTAIN INTERSECTIONS IN THE CITY OF ESPANOLA.

WHEREAS, the city of Espanola is experiencing economic growth that has created severe traffic congestion at the intersection of state road 68 at Riverside drive, and La Joya drive; and

WHEREAS, the opening of the Wal-Mart super store and the Walgreens super store and the use of state road 68 by heavy industrial vehicles cause additional stress on the main arterial by compounding heavy traffic patterns, which increases the possibility of automobile accidents; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department has appropriated two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) to provide a right turning traffic lane at state road 68 and La Joya drive, which will provide necessary ingress and egress at this intersection; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department recognizes the need to provide and install traffic signals at the intersection of state road 76 and state road 583 at South McCurdy road for the safety of the citizens of the Espanola valley; and

WHEREAS, increased traffic at the intersection of state road 76 and state road 583 has been the cause of thirty-three automobile accidents since 1995; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department recognizes the need to provide and install traffic signals at the intersection of state road 291 at El Llano road and Fairview road extension by Espanola high school for the safety of the citizens of the Espanola valley, and more importantly, for the safety of the students of the Espanola valley; and

WHEREAS, the result of increased traffic at the intersection of state road 291 and Fairview road extension has been the cause of twenty-seven automobile accidents; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department has funds available from its school bus safety route program to install traffic signals at the intersections of state roads 76 and 583 and state road 291 and Fairview road extension;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department be requested to alleviate traffic congestion problems in the city of Espanola by installing traffic signals at the intersections of state roads 76 and 583 and state road 291 and Fairview road extension; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department make every effort to provide ingress and egress, such as traffic signals, at the intersection of state road 68 and La Joya drive to provide less congestion and a safer intersection; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department support the intent of this memorial and the city of Espanola and seek alternative routes to provide relief at the intersection of state road 68 and La Joya drive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department provide sufficient funding from its school bus safety route program for the installation of two traffic signals and for alternative driving routes at all the locations mentioned in this memorial; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of highway and transportation, the district 5 engineer of the state highway and transportation department and the mayor of the city of Espanola.