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Town of Mesilla seeks solar bollard lighting for multi-use trail; BPAC recommends TAP application to governing board
Summary
The Town of Mesilla presented a TAP application for solar-powered low-level bollard lights and taller intersection lights along a 1.5-mile multi-use path; BPAC recommended the project to the MPO governing board for consideration.
Mayor Sam Hernandez of the Town of Mesilla described a proposal to install solar-powered low-level bollard lights every 20 feet and taller solar channel lights at several crossings along the multi-use trail that runs from the Mesilla Lateral to the river. Hernandez said the project would add 96 low-level bollards and taller fixtures at crossings such as Paisano and Snow Road; the total project cost is just over $1.5 million.
Hernandez said the bollards would sit between the trail and adjacent private property rather than in the roadway and that the fixtures comply with the local and state night-skies guidelines. "It'll be a little bit more of a safe space for people when they're utilizing that," he said, adding the taller intersection lights would improve visibility where the path crosses roadways.
Committee members raised maintenance and durability questions. Longino Bustillos said he uses the path frequently and asked whether crossings would be illuminated so cars can see pedestrians; Hernandez said taller fixtures would cover crossings and that the town carries insurance and plans to budget for replacement and maintenance. Andrew Bencomo and George Pearson asked about vehicle damage previously sustained on parts of the trail; Hernandez said the town recently repaired vehicle-caused damage and will budget for maintenance and occasional replacement of fixtures.
BPAC members also asked about curb cuts and access points from side streets onto the trail for students and adaptive bicycles. Hernandez said the current TAP application is for lighting only but he would raise curb-cut and access concerns with DOT and MPO staff in future conversations.
MPO staff presented the Mesilla application alongside the Safe Routes to School application and the BPAC voted to recommend both TAP applications to the MPO governing board (motion moved by Longino Bustillos; seconded by Andrew Guerra, NMDOT). The governing board will consider final funding and any engineering conditions.
