City Addressing Danger Near Sara/southern
Road Warrior
SARA/SOUTHERN MEDIAN A HAZARD: Marie emails that “at the corner of Sara Road and Southern Boulevard, there is a median separating a single lane in the direction away from Southern from three or four lanes in the direction toward Southern. This median is not well-marked. I almost was hit by someone heading the wrong way at night in the left-most left turn lane when I was driving up to the stop light at the intersection.
“Do you know how to get this accident-waiting-to-happen addressed? I know that I have to pay close attention when I turn left from Southern onto Sara there to make sure I drive on the correct side of the median, so I know that it is easy to make a mistake at that location. I think that better markings like a sign on the median and/or fluorescent paint on the median would help.” The city is on it. Peter Wells, Rio Rancho’s communications officer, says “median painting is a function of the city’s Public Works Department/Streets and Rights of Way Division. This concern is on their list to review.”
BRIDGE BOULEVARD MAKEOVER IN THE WORKS: The Bernalillo County Commission will be considering several proposed improvements for the Bridge Boulevard corridor. So what could
a new-and-improved Bridge look like?
Tim Karpoff is working with the county on the project and has this rundown on the proposals:
A “Main Street” alternative that reduces congestion, improves safety and preserves a local neighborhood “feel” by adding landscaped medians, wider sidewalks, improved lighting, more frequent buses and speed/ access control via approaches including roundabouts — all within the existing rightof-way.
Three redevelopment sites to “revitalize local businesses, and possibly provide additional housing, in three geographic areas” including the “Gateway Village Center (with a mix of uses that make the South Valley a destination), Five Points Village Center (with a mix of uses that serve the daily needs of neighborhoods, such as grocery shopping, small shops, entertainment, restaurants and others) and Tower Center (between Old Coors and New Coors with uses that, primarily, will increase South Valley employment).”
Streamlined zoning strategies that allow a range of uses permitted “by right,” reduce the need for specialuse permits, allow an opt-in overlay zone with mixed commercial-residential uses and create a more walkable environment with design standards.
Financing strategies to implement the plan so it does not “lay on the shelf.” These include the county’s Transportation Improvement Plan and public-private partnerships using tools such as the Local Economic Development Act, a new Main Street Program and Tax Increment Development Districts.