HOUSE MEMORIAL 68

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Patricia A. Lundstrom

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STATE HIGHWAY 118 CORRIDOR IN DOWNTOWN GALLUP TO INCREASE THE SAFETY OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ON-STREET VEHICULAR PARKING.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico state highway 118, also referred to as historic highway route 66, remains the main thoroughfare in Gallup that carries people to their work place, the business district, stores, government and service facilities and tourist attractions; and

     WHEREAS, increasing volumes of heavy commercial and residential traffic along the state highway 118 corridor, railroad intersections with pedestrians and automobile traffic, traffic speed and poorly visible crossings have greatly contributed to increased incidents and accidents in the state highway 118 corridor, including seven fatal accidents and thirty-one injury accidents during the years 2004 through 2008; and

     WHEREAS, the city of Gallup has initiated several planning efforts to analyze proposed improvements to the state highway 118 corridor in downtown Gallup; and

     WHEREAS, the Gallup business improvement district has been formed and is collecting self-imposed property taxes to fund improvements in the state highway 118 corridor in downtown Gallup; and

     WHEREAS, there is an opportunity for the department of transportation to leverage local planning efforts and financing to improve the state highway 118 corridor for the benefit of residents of Gallup and others traveling through Gallup;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to conduct a feasibility study to identify and evaluate possible improvements to the state highway 118 corridor through downtown Gallup, including redesigning the downtown section with traffic calming measures, signalized crosswalks, angled parking, signage and other measures that would increase safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study be conducted with the involvement of the northwest regional planning organization, the city of Gallup engineering department, the Gallup business improvement district, the Burlington northern Santa Fe railroad and other local and regional stakeholders and businesses; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study propose implementation strategies, including the coordination of planning, design and construction of improvements and developing management and operational agreements that can be used to advance safety improvement projects; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study leverage existing studies but that it not commence until sufficient funds have been allocated from local public and private sources to pay for the study such that, although the department of transportation will provide technical and administrative support for the study, the department's financial contribution will be negligible; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the feasibility study be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committees by October 31, 2011 and that a copy of the study be submitted to the city of Gallup, the northwest regional planning organization and the library of the legislative council service; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of transportation, the northwest regional planning organization and the mayor of Gallup.

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