The City of Las Cruces has been notified by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) that it has been awarded a $190,000 Municipal Arterial Program grant. Here is a statement from the City:
The funds will be used for the planning, design, construction and any needed reconstruction, pavement rehabilitation, drainage, and any miscellaneous improvements to install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) on Picacho Avenue, at Fourth Street (top photo below). The New Mexico State Transportation Commission approved the funding May 20, 2021, through NMDOT’s 2022 fiscal year Local Government Road Fund Program.
The HAWK System is similar to activated crosswalks currently in operation on University Avenue, between Locust Street and Triviz Drive (bottom photo below, courtesy NMDOT)) and near the intersection of Hagerty Road and University Avenue. The activated crosswalk to be installed on Picacho Avenue will be used to assist residents and students who need to safely cross Picacho Avenue to get to and from nearby McArthur Elementary School, and to access businesses on each side of Picacho Avenue.
The HAWK System will enable residents and students to press a button that will activate flashing lights to warn motorists that children or residents are crossing the street at that location. The activated crosswalk will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A crossing guard will still be provided to ensure pedestrian safety for McArthur Elementary School students.
Total cost for the project is $253,333, and the City of Las Cruces will be required to provide $63,333 in matching funds. The grant will be presented to City Council for acceptance of the award at the July 19, 2021 meeting. Construction is expected to start in late 2022.