NMDOT’s Tramway Boulevard Phase 1

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is conducting a Phase 1 A/B planning study to identify and evaluate potential safety and operations improvements along Tramway Boulevard, between Live Oak Road and Central Avenue. This section of Tramway is one of Albuquerque’s most heavily used corridors, serving commuters, recreational users, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

Unlike many roadway projects, the Tramway Boulevard Safety Study is not designed to expand roadway capacity or prepare for future development. Instead, NMDOT has emphasized that growth and major traffic pattern changes are not drivers of this project. The focus is squarely on enhancing the safety, accessibility, and functionality of existing infrastructure, ensuring that people who walk, bike, roll, drive, and take transit along Tramway can do so more safely.

This initiative comes at a critical time. Tramway Boulevard is not only a busy commuter corridor but also an important recreational hub. The Tramway Multi-Use Path is one of the most popular facilities in the region, serving runners, cyclists, and families daily. Yet, unsafe crossings, high vehicle speeds, and outdated traffic signal designs have long presented barriers to safety. This study is a chance to address these long-standing issues.

A recording of the initial presentation is available online, offering more details about the scope and goals of the study.

Why Public Input Matters

NMDOT is actively collecting public comments as part of this Phase 1 study, and community feedback will play a critical role in shaping the final list of recommended improvements. This is a rare opportunity for residents, commuters, and trail users to advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety, highlight daily challenges, and push for forward-thinking improvements.

The more voices that emphasize the importance of people-first design, the more likely the outcome will prioritize vulnerable road users. Feedback does not need to be technical—simple statements about personal experiences walking, biking, or driving on Tramway can be powerful contributions.

Key Areas for Improvement

NMDOT and its consultants have identified several categories of potential improvements. These align closely with best practices in roadway safety and active transportation design:

1. Safer Intersections & Signals

• Remove slip lanes / free right turns: Slip lanes allow vehicles to turn without fully stopping, creating hazards for people walking and biking. Removing these lanes or redesigning them for slower speeds improves visibility and safety.

• Upgrade signals: This includes safer left-turn phases, prohibiting right turns on red lights, and adding leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs), which give people walking a head start before cars begin moving.

• Pedestrian recall & longer walk times: Many intersections currently require pushing a button to activate walk signals, and some signals give only minimal crossing time. Consistent pedestrian recall and longer walk phases would improve comfort and accessibility, especially for seniors, children, and people with mobility impairments.

2. Safer Crossings & Paths

• ADA upgrades at ramps and crossings: Many curb ramps and crosswalks along Tramway are outdated and not fully ADA compliant. Upgrading them improves accessibility for all users.

• Raised crosswalks linking the east Tramway Path: Raised crosswalks slow vehicle speeds and draw attention to pedestrians, creating safer trail connections.

• Reduce turning radii for slower turns: Large curb radii allow drivers to turn quickly, increasing crash risks. Reducing these radii forces slower, more cautious turns.

• Better lighting along Tramway & the Tramway Path: Enhanced lighting improves visibility and safety, particularly for people biking and walking in early morning or evening hours.

3. Trails & Enforcement

• Enhance west-side trails & side paths: Tramway’s east-side multi-use path is well known, but the west side lacks consistent and safe facilities. Building complementary trails ensures that both sides of the corridor are connected and accessible.

• Automated speed & red-light enforcement: High vehicle speeds remain one of the biggest dangers on Tramway. Automated enforcement technologies can help deter speeding and red-light running, protecting all users.

How to Comment

Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts and priorities before the September 3, 2025 deadline. Submitting a comment is quick and can be done in several ways:

• Email: TramwaySafetyStudy@parametrix.com

• Phone: (505) 998-5576

• Mail: Olivia Tafoya, 4041 Jefferson Plaza NE, Suite 210, Albuquerque, NM 87109

• Project Website: Visit the online project page to review materials and submit comments.

Why Your Feedback Matters

This study represents a  significant chance to reshape Tramway Boulevard into a safer, more  livable corridor. For too long, roadway design has prioritized vehicle  flow at the expense of safety for people walking and biking. With strong  public participation, this project can deliver improvements that make  crossing Tramway less intimidating, reduce speeding, and create a more  welcoming environment for all users.

Your voice ensures that NMDOT  hears the community’s desire for a balanced approach—one that keeps  traffic moving while protecting the most vulnerable road users.

If you bike, walk, roll, or  drive Tramway, take a moment to send a comment. Even short feedback  helps build the case for safety-first improvements. Together, we can  make Tramway Boulevard a model corridor for Albuquerque and beyond.