The city of Albuquerque has installed a new HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk beacon) signal at the intersection of Kathryn and San Mateo SE, near Whittier Elementary School and Wilson Middle School, as part of ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety. This marks the fifth such signal added since July 2025, when 19-year-old bicyclist Kayla VanLandingham was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing Carlisle on the Hahn Arroyo Trail.
The HAWK signals serve as a key component of Albuquerque’s wider “Stop for Everyone” campaign, which aims to educate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians about the city’s updated traffic laws designed to protect vulnerable road users. Gabe Chavez, a spokesperson for the Department of Municipal Development, emphasized that the new crossing contributes to making the city’s streets safer.
Other locations where HAWK signals have been installed include Hahn Arroyo and Carlisle, Central and Britt SE, Central and Dorothy NE, and Anderson and San Mateo SE. Patrick Martin, president of BikeABQ, praised the city’s steady progress in expanding the network of these safety devices.
Meanwhile, New Mexico experienced a significant rise in traffic fatalities in August, with 46 deaths reported statewide. This represents an approximate 28% increase over July, which had 34 fatalities, according to data from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the University of New Mexico. Bernalillo County recorded the highest number of fatalities, with eight, while Doña Ana and San Juan counties each reported four.
Additional transportation developments in the region include ongoing road rehabilitation projects in Santa Fe and Gallup, as well as maintenance work in the Gila National Forest. The Santa Fe project involves work on St. Francis Drive from West Cordova Road to Alamo Drive, conducted nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Oct. 29, under New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) supervision. Flagging operations and lane closures are in place near the Cerrillos Road intersection.
In Gallup, NMDOT is seeking public input on planned improvements along Interstate 40, focusing on repairing pavement, upgrading drainage systems, and replacing roadside safety barriers. The section near the Miyamura Interchange shows visible signs of deterioration, including cracking and rutting, along with outdated safety features. The project is in final design, with construction expected to begin in late 2027.
Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with contractors, is working to improve 18 miles of Forest Road 141 in the Gila National Forest. Maintenance efforts—including pothole repair, gravel stabilization, and culvert work—began last month and will continue through November, weather permitting. Full road closures may occur during weekdays, with one lane remaining open on weekends. Work is scheduled to resume in spring 2027 for completion by July.
These multifaceted efforts reflect a broader commitment to enhancing transportation safety and infrastructure across New Mexico.