BPAC debates University Avenue lane widths and bike facilities; members urge consistent narrower lanes to slow traffic

NMDOT staff provided a design update on the University Avenue corridor, describing a mix of lane widths (primarily 12-foot sections with short 10-foot constrictions and transitions) and an on‑street/at‑grade bicycle accommodation with transitions behind bus stops and where necessary.

The presentation noted right-of-way, drainage (EBID), school access and transit-stop requirements as constraints that shaped the design. NMDOT said the project includes two bike lanes at street grade for most of the corridor and an 8‑ to 10‑foot multi-use path on the north side in some areas. Staff reported concrete work and pavement markings were in progress in sections and that curb and gutter were not being reconstructed within a mill-and-inlay maintenance project elsewhere on Avenue de Mesilla.

Committee members and public commenters asked whether the project could use a consistent 11‑foot travel lane to encourage lower vehicle speeds and shift pavement space to wider bike lanes. Jim Wilcox, Ashley Curry and several BPAC members argued narrower travel lanes create a perception of a narrower roadway and slow drivers. NMDOT staff said design tradeoffs, bus operations and existing constraints led to a range of 10–12 feet across the corridor and said they would take the BPAC's consistent-width request back to the design team for consideration.

Parents and a public commenter described acute safety concerns near Zia Middle School and asked about speed limits and curb-cut access for adaptive cycles; staff said crosswalks and pavement work remained in progress and that the project would continue toward final design and pavement marking. No formal committee motion or vote was taken on design changes; staff agreed to raise the committee's preference for consistent narrower lanes with the design team and to follow up at a future meeting.