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Portales to consider adopting NMDOT-funded bicycle and pedestrian plan; council told resolution expected Dec. 2
Summary
A consultant presented a no-cost bicycle and pedestrian plan for Portales that prioritizes safer crossings, separated bike facilities and incremental implementation; staff said a resolution to adopt the plan will be presented to council on Dec. 2.
A consultant told the Portales City Council on Monday that a bicycle and pedestrian plan developed at no cost to the city lays out near-term and long-term steps to improve walking and biking safety and connectivity.
Claire Haley, a transportation planner with Bohannan Huston, said the plan was funded by the New Mexico Department of Transportation through multimodal planning funds and federal-state match and reflected two phases of public engagement: pop-up events and an interactive town-hall priority exercise. "This was a no-cost project for the city of Portales," Haley said, adding that public input emphasized safety, separated infrastructure and maintenance.
The presentation highlighted Portales' advantages for active transportation — a flat grid street pattern and a substantial student population — and identified priority projects including improved bike routing on Third Street, a path along Avenue I near Eastern New Mexico University, Main Street pedestrian and bike upgrades, and safer crossings at US 70 and University Drive.
Haley described an implementation strategy that favors incremental improvements tied to resurfacing and restriping projects as a lower-cost approach, while preserving the option of standalone streetscape projects. She also advised coordination with NMDOT for projects that involve state roadways.
Joe McVey, who introduced the presentation for city staff, said the council should expect a resolution on Dec. 2 to adopt the plan and that the plan would be a guiding document rather than a binding requirement. "These recommendations are not requirements," Haley said. "It's more just meant to guide future decisions."
Council members asked clarifying questions about timeline and costs; Haley and staff said the plan includes phased priorities and that actual construction would follow separate design and funding steps. The council took no action Monday but was told staff plans to bring a resolution for formal adoption at the next meeting.
Portales officials said the plan could be used to pursue grant funding and to align future resurfacing projects with safety improvements.
