August 7, 2019
in Complete Streets
News from Albuquerque, New Mexico! The city council unanimously approved a complete streets ordinance to make streets safer for walking, biking and rolling. In 2017, 31 of Albuquerque’s 36 fatalities occurred on roadways directly bordering high-poverty areas. With that in mind, the ordinance includes the following unanimously-passed amendment to address health equity:
The low and moderate income community criteria is one of the many factors that shall be taken into consideration when identifying and selecting project prioritization under this ordinance, and is not the sole determinant. Other factors/criteria that shall be taken into consideration include traffic fatalities, aging infrastructure, traffic count, creating access for older adults and people with disabilities, and any other factors that enhance and improve public safety and health.
The Albuquerque Complete Streets Ordinance and amendment will not only improve safety on the roads, but also bring transparency and accountability to the city’s road construction and repair program. The key provisions of the new and amended complete streets ordinance:
Congratulations to the American Heart Association, AARP, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the New Mexico Chronic Disease Prevention Council, and to all volunteers and advocates who are working to make streets safer for all in Albuquerque!