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

SUPPORTING AN INTERCHANGE ON INTERSTATE 25 AT RICHARDS AVENUE IN SANTA FE COUNTY.

WHEREAS, Richards avenue in Santa Fe county is the primary access to the Santa Fe community college and area housing from the county and city of Santa Fe; and

WHEREAS, Richards avenue has been heavily impacted by rapid growth, in particular from Santa Fe community college, which has increased enrollment at a rate of nine percent in the last year; and

WHEREAS, the enrollment increase at Santa Fe community college is expected to continue, with additional traffic to be added by the fall 2000 opening of the institute of American Indian arts (IAIA) as well as housing, church-related and other institutional development in the area; and

WHEREAS, Richards avenue has become increasingly dangerous to students and other drivers as traffic increases and road capacity is used; and

WHEREAS, an interchange on interstate 25 with a widened bridge over Richards avenue will improve access to Santa Fe community college, IAIA and other development and will allow for a four-lane road, greatly improving safety on the road; and

WHEREAS, improvements to the interstate system are funded through the state highway and transportation department; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department sets six-year funding priorities in the state transportation improvement plan;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway commission be urged to include the Richards avenue-interstate 25 interchange project in the state transportation improvement plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department take all actions necessary to move this project toward design, construction and completion; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the state highway commission.