Mayor Tim Keller, City Councilors Roll Out School Crosswalk Improvements as Students Head Back to School
Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders announced over $773,000 in crosswalk safety improvements at many schools around the city. With newly striped crosswalks and updated ADA compliance, by the end of August, DMD will have improved and upgraded over 75 school crosswalks in one year. An additional $145,000 and 37 school crosswalks are on the list to be refreshed by the end of striping season, which typically ends in November
Since April of 2021, DMD Traffic Engineering Division has refreshed 14 on-street school intersection crosswalks and will refresh an additional nine crosswalks within the next two weeks at four schools. In addition, seven ADA compliance ramps at crosswalks were improved.
“We’re putting the safety and well-being of our families in Albuquerque first,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Like many of you, when Liz and I are getting our kids ready for school in the morning, we think about their safety as they get to school and back home, and everything in between. These continued improvements at crosswalks and our crossing guard program are all part of our effort to stand up for families as we head into the school year.”
School Walk-Zone Improvements since April 2021:
- Carlos Rey Elementary School
- Mary Ann Binford Elementary School
- Rudolfo Anaya Elementary School
- Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary School
- Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
- Marie M. Hughes Elementary School
- Tierra Antigua Elementary School
- Wilson Middle School
- Truman Middle School
- Desert Ridge Middle School
- Washington Middle School
- Tony Hillerman Middle School
- Eisenhower Middle School
- La Cueva High School
- Volcano Vista High School
- West Mesa High School
- Horizon Academy West
In April, Mayor Keller announced over $550,000 in school crosswalk improvements at 50 different schools around the city. That work included close collaboration with City Councilors and included improvements from new crosswalk paint to new ADA Compliance ramps and the installation of several Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s).
“Our children’s safety is of highest importance to me,” said Council President Cynthia Borrego. “I am currently conducting a targeted pedestrian safety study on Rainbow to improve the safety on Rainbow to improve the safety of student’s walking to Tony Hillerman MS and Volcano Vista HS at a cost of $44,773 drawn from District 5 GO Bond Funds. I am happy to work with our City Administration to ensure all school crossings areas are well identified, and improved to guarantee the safe arrival of our young people to school this fall.”
“As kids are getting back to the classroom, their safe arrival to our schools are essential. Many of our residents and families have advocated for school cross walks and safety measures and we are happy to be addressing those needs.” Said District 1 City Councilor Lan Sena. “I will continue to work with our community and the district to add more measures to ensure the safety of our future generations.”
“My office is committed to making children's access to schools as safe as possible. Starting in 2014, we implemented multiple elements to slow traffic on Comanche and improve the safety at crosswalks for Hodgins Elementary and McKinley Middle School students. One year later the four traffic lanes on San Pedro NE were reduced to two, slowing overall traffic speeds, and overhead school beacons were installed at Constitution NE. These improvements serve students going to Temple Baptist Academy and Mark Twain Elementary, many of whom use this intersection twice daily.” Said District 7 City Councilor Diane Gibson
The Albuquerque Police Department Traffic Unit is urging drivers to follow posted speed limits around schools across the city so students can cross the street safely. The speed limit in elementary school zones is 15 mph with middle school and high school zones are 25 mph. Violators of these school zone speed limits could face hefty fines or even have to go to court.
The DMD Crossing Guard Division staffs every elementary school in the City of Albuquerque each morning and afternoon. Crossing Guard leadership and their approximate 150 crossing guards are prepared for this school year.
“Our team has been working hard to help facilitate ease of access to schools. Our traffic team and crossing guard teams have the city prepared for student’s full time.” DMD Director Pat Montoya said.
This work is a continuation of the Crosswalk Report published by DMD Traffic Engineering that identified improvements needs at all crosswalks at elementary and middle schools within the City of Albuquerque jurisdiction. Check out the City of Albuquerque School Crossing Locations interactive map here.
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The Department of Municipal Development (DMD) assures that capital projects will be completed efficiently and in a timely manner with high quality standards. The department also oversees the security and maintenance of city facilities, including the operation of Isotopes Stadium. DMD provides the operation and maintenance of city streets, storm drains, school crossing guards, traffic signals as well as the development and design of capital infrastructure for streets and storm drainage