SENATE MEMORIAL 24

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO EXPLORE AND UTILIZE LANE DELINEATION TECHNIQUES WITHIN BERNALILLO COUNTY THAT WILL ENHANCE THE VISIBILITY AND REFLECTIVITY OF THE ROAD STRIPES IN ALL CLIMATE CONDITIONS.

     WHEREAS, the department of transportation maintains an estimated eleven thousand miles of road, of which nine hundred twelve lane miles of interstate highway are within Bernalillo county; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico experiences a wide range of climate conditions, from very bright sunshine to snow blizzards; and

    WHEREAS, the range of climate conditions can cause poor visibility of the traffic lane delineations; and

    WHEREAS, the interstate 40 corridor through the Albuquerque metropolitan area has experienced significant growth in traffic volume, ranging from an average daily traffic volume of fifty thousand to one hundred forty thousand vehicles per day; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated forty percent of the volume of traffic is due to heavy commercial vehicles; and

     WHEREAS, the department of transportation has invested approximately one billion seven hundred million dollars ($1,700,000,000) in the interstate 40 corridor in Bernalillo county over the last twelve years to upgrade capacity and facilitate the movement of goods and services; and

     WHEREAS, the growing traffic volume is creating periods of congestion on the interstate; and

    WHEREAS, the growing congestion is resulting in increased motorist travel time with excessive delays; and

     WHEREAS, the combination of increased traffic and congestion with the low visibility of lane delineation can potentially decrease the efficient movement of traffic;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to explore and utilize lane delineation techniques within Bernalillo county that will enhance the visibility and reflectivity of the road stripes in all climate conditions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of transportation begin studies, analyses and management strategies to efficiently manage the capacity of interstate 40 through Bernalillo county to include managed lanes and ramp metering; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation and the mid-region council of governments.

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