Albuquerque's Department of Municipal Development is working this winter to complete the city's new safety street lighting in Wells Park, the southwest mesa and the International District as part of its Vision Zero Action plan, aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and injuries.
Those areas can expect about about 300 new lights by this coming spring, according to KRQE.
Albuquerque Mayor Timothy M. Keller
| cabq.gov/
Vision Zero Albuquerque is a much needed effort aimed at improving the city's too-high roadway fatality rate, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in the Vision Zero Action Plan issued during a biking event last spring.
"Every year, Albuquerque ranks too high in roadway fatalities nationwide," the mayor said in the 52-page plan's message. "2020 was no different, with at least 77 people dying on our roads, many who were walking or riding a bicycle."
Any such loss of life "is unacceptable," Keller said.
"This is why we launched the Vision Zero ABQ Initiative with a goal of eliminating traffic deaths in Albuquerque by 2040. . This year [2021], the city announced its Vision Zero Action Plan in order to reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries in Albuquerque."
Albuquerque's decision to join the Vision Zero program is not new. The Vision Zero Albuquerque Facebook page was set up in May 2018 and soon began development with the help of the city, along with agency and community partners.
"Vision Zero is a commitment to create safer streets for all, whether walking, biking, driving, or taking transit, and regardless of age or ability," the city says on its website.
The city began making the commitment even more official in the spring of 2019.
"In May 2019, Mayor Keller made a commitment to Vision Zero and signed an Executive Order committing the City of Albuquerque to work toward the goal of zero traffic deaths by 2040," the city says on its website.
The executive order referred to various departments in the city that recognized the need for increased safety to prevent deaths and injuries on Albuquerque streets. Those departments included police, transit, technology and innovation and the office of equity and inclusion.
In June 2020, the city's Vision Zero Task Force sought community input about active and safe streets, its Active Streets initiative. The initiative sought to convert streets that fit certain criteria into pedestrian, skateboard, and bicycle friendly zones, with an eye toward bringing people together "in safe, socially-distanced ways for recreation, dining and other uses," a news release said at the time.
"The Safe Streets Pledge asks residents to help take ownership for using streets in ways that are safe for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists alike," the news release said.
The first active street closer, Bell Avenue SE from Alcazar Street SE to San Pablo Street SE, was announced the following September.
City officials issued Albuquerque's action plan during the "Bike to Wherever" event last May.