The city of Albuquerque is spending $773,000 to improve crosswalks at schools.
“Our children’s safety is of highest importance to me,” Council President Cynthia Borrego said in a news release.
A study is underway on how to improve pedestrian safety for students waking to Tony Hillerman Middle School and Volcano Vista High School, Borrego said. The study is funded with $44,773 from District 5 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,” Borrego said.
Since April, the city has “refreshed” 14 school intersection crosswalks, according to a news release.
An additional nine crosswalks at four schools will be refreshed in the next two weeks.
“We’re putting the safety and well-being of our families in Albuquerque first,” Mayor Tim Keller said in the statement. “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.”
By the end of August, the city will have upgraded more than 75 school crosswalks in the last year.
At the same time, the police department is urging drivers to slow down around schools.
“The speed limit in elementary school zones is 15 mph while middle school and high school zones are 25 mph,” the city said in a news release. “Violators of these school zone speed limits could face hefty fines or even have to go to court.”
There are approximately 150 school crossing guards on duty each morning and afternoon, the city’s Department of Municipal Development said.
“Our team has been working hard to help facilitate ease of access to schools,” DMD Director Pat Montoya said in a statement. “Our traffic team and crossing guard teams have the city prepared for students full time.”
