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

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO RECONSTRUCT GURLEY DRIVE IN GALLUP TO EASE CONGESTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO GALLUP BRANCH.

WHEREAS, Gurley drive is the only access into or exit from the university of New Mexico Gallup branch; and

WHEREAS, the original road was developed thirty years ago and has been resurfaced only once in that time; and

WHEREAS, there are no pedestrian walkways, no curbs or gutters and little lighting along Gurley drive; and

WHEREAS, deep trenches have formed from erosion along the roadway and at the intersection with Boardman road; and

WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico Gallup branch serves three thousand five hundred students each semester, and each student must use Gurley drive to enter and leave the school; and

WHEREAS, traffic becomes extremely congested and dangerous for pedestrians and cars turning at the intersection onto campus; and

WHEREAS, a jogging trail on the university of New Mexico Gallup branch is heavily used by local Gallup residents, and crossing Gurley drive is so perilous that residents often complain to the administration; and

WHEREAS, the school is concerned about its liability for accidents and mishaps that may occur due to the congestion and disrepair of Gurley drive;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department and the members of the state highway commission be requested to prioritize Gurley drive and work with the administration of the university of New Mexico Gallup branch to develop a plan to reconstruct Gurley drive, identify a funding source to reconstruct and improve Gurley drive and make Gurley drive safe for the students and faculty of the university of New Mexico Gallup branch and the residents of Gallup; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of highway and transportation, the members of the state highway commission and the director of the university of New Mexico Gallup branch.