Critical safety improvements at Uptown could cost about $1M, study says

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Randy Siner

A pedestrian safety and traffic study looked at potential improvements in the Uptown corridor of Albuquerque. The Mid-Region Council of Governments just completed an extensive study and has released high-, medium- and low-priority recommendations with pricing estimates.

Damon Scott

Reporter- Albuquerque Business First

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Albuquerque's Uptown corridor has some of the city's most desirable shopping, dining and entertainment options. Visitors to Albuquerque stay at the hotels, and businesspeople work in some of the city's largest office buildings there. But try to take a stroll somewhere close by for lunch, to grab coffee or do some shopping, and it can be a challenge.

City Councilor Diane Gibson, whose District 7 includes the ABQ Uptown, Coronado Center and Winrock Town Center areas, has had pedestrian safety on her radar for some time. She initiated a Mid-Region Council of Governments' study to look at potential improvements for pedestrians and what the effects on traffic could be. She says many businesses in her district are concerned about both.

It's been on the mind of the private sector, too. Gary Goodman, who is the owner and developer of Winrock, said he would like to see a loop shuttle system between his property, ABQ Uptown and Coronado Center so that people can "park once" and walk or hop on a shuttle-style setup that would benefit all the stakeholders in the area.

MRCOG just completed an extensive study and has released high-, medium- and low-priority recommendations with pricing estimates. Some high priorities, MRCOG said, are widening sidewalks, improving the crossing at Q Street and Indian School by installing a raised median ( where Target sits), modifying several intersections and putting up new signage. The price of the high-priority recommendations is near $1 million, it said.

Access the full MRCOG study here.

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505.348.8315 | damonscott@bizjournals.com
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