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

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO INTEGRATE VISUAL ENHANCEMENT AND DESIGN ELEMENTS INTO THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OR UPGRADE OF STATE HIGHWAYS AND OTHER MAJOR STATE ROADS.

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department has a significant role in determining the appearance and visual character of our state's highways and major state roads; and

WHEREAS, the important design elements, including the architecture of bridges, landscaping and public art, could significantly improve the visual quality of our state's highways and major state roads; and

WHEREAS, the visual appearance of the state's highways and major state roads contributes to the quality of life and economic vitality of many of our communities; and

WHEREAS, local governments, in cooperation with the state highway and transportation department, middle Rio Grande council of governments, the business community, design professionals and community representatives, have developed the interstate corridor enhancement plan, which is a conceptual framework to improve the visual quality of the Albuquerque metropolitan highways as well as their function; and

WHEREAS, the interstate corridor enhancement plan could serve as a model for similar actions elsewhere in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department should give consideration to the aesthetics and appearance of the state's highways and major state roads, in addition to engineering and safety considerations; and

WHEREAS, the design of new or upgraded highways and major state roads should enhance the visual appearance of the project and integrate the project into the fabric of the community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department be requested to incorporate the design and construction of enhancement elements, including the architectural design of highway structures, landscape elements and public art, into the engineering design; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department adopt regulations to include design and visual enhancement elements in all new highway construction projects or projects to upgrade existing highways and other major state roads; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all requests for proposals issued by the state highway and transportation department for highway engineering projects direct the engineering consultants to include an urban designer-architect, landscape architect and artist on the team; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the state highway commission and the secretary of highway and transportation.