The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE


Contact: Amelia Rouse, 505-277-1099
instpp@unm.edu

April 16, 2008

UNM Institute for Public Policy Announces Citizen Recommendations for Transportation Planning for Raton Region

On February 6, 2008, the University of New Mexico Institute for Public Policy facilitated a citizen conference in Raton to discuss long-range planning recommendations for the New Mexico Department of Transportation. A citizen conference is an exercise in deliberative democracy, focusing on learning, deliberation and recommendations by members of the local community about issues important to them.

Ten “citizen advisors” were recruited at random from the Raton area to question state and local transportation experts about a variety of transportation-related issues and then reached their conclusions.

Those recommendations included:

  • Identifying, within the next 18 months, funding sources sufficient for the two remaining segments of HWY 64 / 87 (mile markers 360 – 388) from Raton to Clayton, and completing the whole project by 2012.
  • Widening and expanding HWY 434 between Black Lake and Mora.
  • Providing regular, consistent repair and maintenance on HWY 555 to improve safety and support economic development in the area.
  • Improving the response time for snow removal on US, state, and county roads in Moreno Valley by providing a dedicated snow removal facility, equipment, and personnel, to facilitate tourism and to increase public safety in that area.
  • Improving snow removal on I-25 between Raton and Springer.
  • Increasing safety-related signage on the state highways to discourage DWI, driving while tired, or cell phone use, and to encourage use of seat belts.
  • Re-examining the speed limit and signage on the last two miles of HWY 64 / 87 before Raton, and addressing the question why the speed limit is lower now than prior to road widening.
  • Creating a public transportation system in Raton and surrounding communities, especially for low income, elderly, and disabled residents.
For more information about the UNM Institute for Public Policy or this meeting and the recommendations given, please contact Amelia Rouse at 505-277-1099.

 


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
www.unm.edu