Lead and Coal Corridor Safety Alternatives Survey

The City of Albuquerque is exploring ways to improve safety along Lead and Coal Avenues from Oak St SE to Washington St SE and we are encouraging neighborhood input. Residents have raised concerns about traffic crashes, property damage and unsafe conditions for people walking or biking.  

This survey gives community members a direct voice in shaping the future of these streets. Your input will play a significant role in determining which safety measures move forward. 

The City has already implemented several safety improvements—such as Rest in Red technologies, Automated Speed Enforcement devices and traffic signal coordination at 30 MPH—that have contributed to calmer traffic and increased safety. Building on these efforts, your feedback will help shape the next steps to further enhance safety, mobility and neighborhood livability moving forward. 

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Background

A traffic study by Lee Engineering analyzed traffic operations, crash patterns (2018–2022) and potential roadway changes to improve safety.  View the full Lee Engineering Study.

All of these apply to Lead and Coal Avenues from Oak St SE to Washington St SE.

The alternatives include:

1. Make no changes to lane configuration (maintain current 30 MPH speed and continue to update signals, striping & add landscaping improvements) from Washington St to Oak St
2. Lowering the speed limit to 25 MPH from Washington St to Oak St
3. Reducing the number of lanes from two to one from Washington St to Oak St
4. Converting the roadway to two-way travel from Washington St to Oak St
5. Make no changes to lane configuration and maintain current 30 MPH speed - Keep Lead and Coal exactly the same

Options 2, 3 & 4 were evaluated for their impacts on safety, traffic operations, commute times and neighborhood effects. Please review each safety alternative for the following: what each alternative means, estimated timeline for completion, estimated commute time impact (based on Lee Study), safety rating (based on Lee Study) and additional approvals/coordination required for implementation.

Please review the alternatives below and select ONLY ONE that you most support.

Alternative 1: Enhanced Safety Option Considered by the Lee Engineering Study

Make no changes to lane configuration (maintain 30 MPH speed and continue to update signals, striping & add landscaping improvements).

• What it does: Keeps the current lane configuration and speed limit, while updating signals, striping, and landscaping to enhance safety and visibility. More specifically; expands the "rest on red" signal program to reward drivers going the speed limit, adds pedestrian pushbuttons and emergency vehicle preemption, refreshes striping and re-plants missing trees, installs boulders to protect sidewalks and homes.
• Estimated timeline: 9 months — (aiming for completion in 2026)
• Commute time impact: Minimal to none.
• Approvals required: MRCOG and NMDOT coordination as needed.

Alternative 2: Lower the Speed Limit to 25 MPH from Washington St to Oak St

• What it does: Changes the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph, with enhanced signage
• Estimated timeline: 6 months. Requires signal retiming and signage updates.
• What it does: Reduces vehicle speeds to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and residents.
• Commute time impact: Minimal (~3 minutes during peak hours for Washington–Yale segment, per Lee Engineering Study).
• Safety rating (pp. 102–103, Lee Engineering Study): High or mid-high.
• Approvals required: MRCOG and NMDOT coordination.

Alternative 3: Reduce the Number of Lanes from Two to One from Washington St to Oak St

• What it does: Converts the corridor to a single travel lane with turn lanes and buffered bicycle lanes, enhancing pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
• Estimated timeline: 2 years from start of design (subject to MRCOG approval)
• Commute time impact: Increase in travel times will increase from between 3 and 10 minutes, depending on scope of change. Greatest travel time impacts are between University and Yale. Side street delay at unsignalized intersections may also increase because there will be fewer gaps between Lead and Coal traffic.
• Safety rating (pp. 102–103, Lee Engineering Study): High or mid-high.
• Approvals required: MRCOG and NMDOT coordination.

Alternative 4: Convert the Roadway to Two-way Travel from Washington St to Oak St

• What it does: Reconfigures Lead and Coal from Washington St to Oak St to allow bidirectional travel, with added bike lanes, potentially improving access but may impact traffic flow.
• Estimated timeline: 2–3 years — requires striping, signals, signage updates, and traffic analysis.
• Commute time impact: New delays will result from left-turning vehicles. Side street delay at unsignalized intersections may also increase because there will be fewer gaps between Lead and Coal traffic.
• Safety rating (pp. 102–103, Lee Engineering Study): Lower than single-lane or speed reduction options.
• Approvals required: MRCOG and NMDOT coordination.

Alternative 5 – Make No Changes to Lane Configuration and Maintain Current 30 MPH speed - Keep Lead and Coal Exactly the Same

• What it does: Keeps Lead and Coal exactly the same as they are today (same number of lanes, direction of travel, and speed limits)

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