Sawmill Wells Park Area Traffic Plan

Update: Intersection of 12th and Sawmill

October 2017 - Construction is scheduled to begin October 23!

February 2017 - As discussed at the Sawmill Neighborhood Association Meeting on Sept. 8, 2016, Councilor Benton has asked the Department of Municipal Development to move ahead with one component of the Sawmill Wells Park Area Traffic Plan: a reconfiguration of the intersection of 12^th and Sawmill that aims to reduce the amount of cut-through traffic shunted into the neighborhood from southbound 12^th Street. The reconfiguration will also include buffered bike lanes for a one-block stretch, intended as a first step toward completing bike lanes in the 12^th Street segment between I-40 and Sawmill Rd. Design of bike lanes for the full stretch is expected to begin in spring 2017. You may view a diagram of the proposed reconfiguration of 12^th and Sawmill by clicking here.

Sawmill Wells Park Area Traffic Plan

After City Council adopted the transportation amendments to the Sawmill Wells Park Sector Development Plan in May 2015, a consultant was hired to review and update previous studies of 12th Street/Sawmill Road and 12th Street/Mountain Road and connected areas. Design options and data analysis were presented at a Sawmill Neighborhood Association meeting on Sept. 20, 2016. You may view the presentation from this meeting by clicking here.

Background

The City of Albuquerque adopted the Sawmill Wells Park  Sector Development Plan in 1996 and has amended the plan several times to reflect changed and changing conditions.  In response to additional new developments proposed in the area, the neighborhood voiced concerns about traffic impacts and circulation.

To maintain the intent of the sector plan with respect to connectivity and traffic, efforts began several years ago to draft transportation amendments for the plan. The amendments were also intended to manage cut-through traffic, recommend traffic calming measures, and establish standards for Complete Streets that serve all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and vehicles.

A number of public meetings were held to:

• Receive input from the public on traffic-related concerns in the neighborhood;
• Keep the public informed of  and involved in the plan’s progress;
• Provide information about the proposed amendments.