Truth or Consequences Paving and Road Diet Project
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is completing a $5.6 million milling and paving project along the I-25 Business Loop in Truth or Consequences (T or C), New Mexico, covering Date Street, Broadway, and Main Street (5.5 miles total).
Paving Completion: Expected by February 19, 2025 (weather permitting)
Final Touches: Valve and manhole cover adjustments, concrete repairs, and striping will follow
Estimated Project Completion: Late February – Early March 2025
Traffic and Parking Impacts:
⇒ Lane closures from the roundabouts on Date Street to I-25 Exit 75 (Williamsburg), including Broadway and Main Street.
⇒ One lane will remain open throughout construction.
⇒ Business and residential access will be maintained, though some detours may be necessary.
⇒ Residents and businesses may need to temporarily adjust parking to facilitate construction. Your assistance with prompt vehicle relocation will help expedite the process.
Road Diet Implementation in Downtown T or C:
As part of this project, a Road Diet will be implemented along the I-25 Business Loop between Austin Avenue and First Avenue. The business loop traveling eastbound is Broadway Boulevard, and the westbound route is Main Street. Both roads currently have two 12-ft travel lanes with 10-ft shoulders, used for parallel parking in some areas.
The Road Diet will convert the roadway to one 11-ft travel lane in each direction, reallocating space to:
⇒ On-street parallel parking on both sides of the roadway
⇒ A striped buffer
⇒ A 10-ft wide multi-use path on one side of the roadway
Figure 1. Road Diet Typical Section for the I-25 Business Loop between Austin Ave. and First Ave (Click on the image to enlarge).
What is a Road Diet?
A Road Diet is a reallocation of roadway space—often using low-cost solutions such as restriping—to enhance safety, increase multimodal accommodations, and provide additional community benefits.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How should drivers respond to emergency vehicles with the Road Diet?
Stay Alert – Listen for sirens and check mirrors frequently.
Move Right When Safe – If possible, pull into a parking stall, designated shoulder, or as far to the right as possible.
Avoid Intersections – Do not stop in the middle of an intersection; instead, clear it and then move right.
Come to a Full Stop – Once safely positioned, remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes.
Resume Travel Safely – Check surroundings before merging back into traffic.
Will delivery trucks be allowed to stop in the one lane blocking traffic?
Delivery trucks are generally not allowed to block a travel lane, regardless of the number of lanes. If a truck obstructs traffic unnecessarily, it may be considered a violation, subject to citation under local laws. The road diet concept provides designated parking areas parallel to the travel lane to support efficient loading and unloading. In addition, private parking facilities and side streets may offer suitable alternatives.
Since it starts and stops, interrupted by diagonal white stripping, the driver must anticipate many blocks ahead where they will turn. What if one is unfamiliar with downtown?
The diagonal white stripes you’re describing is the buffer area which is restricted to all vehicles (incl. cyclists). Roadway and multi-use path users need to use caution during travel, especially when approaching a transition area, driveway, or an intersection where the path ends or merges into a different lane. The stripes within the buffer zone help guide users to safely transition onto another path or lane, generate open space to improve sight distance, and they signify that the space should not be occupied (no parking and/or driving).
Drivers and cyclists will complete turns out of their designated lane. No turning lanes are provided in areas where the multi-use path begins or ends. Main St and Broadway within the downtown area are one directional, single lane, low speed urban roads. Drivers have to slow down for turning movements. The new layout does not require lane changes.
What other cities have this ‘multi-purpose” lane?
Many other cities have implemented multi-use paths similar to ours. In District One, we have multi-use paths in Las Cruces, Anthony, Deming, and Silver City. I believe Elephant Butte has one primarily for golf carts. Additionally, larger cities often install multi-use paths throughout various areas to support commuters and improve transportation options.
How many vehicle accidents have there been since the striping was completed, and when was the striping completed? Please include all fender benders, including cars bumping into vehicles parked in the middle parallel parking lane.
The DOT has not been made aware of any traffic incidents in the downtown area, please reach out to your local police department for additional information. As we move forward NMDOT will be relying on traffic safety data as part of the conversation for evaluating the success or failure of the road diet.
Who designed the striping?
The design was created by the NMDOT Engineering team. The city has for many years requested a single lane road to include bike lanes. The ask was to have 45 degree parking like you might see in a “typical” downtown. NMDOT regulations for this type of road prohibited traffic backing into oncoming traffic.
The unique traffic striping forces drivers to try to decode what the striping means while driving. Sure, locals will eventually adapt, but what about tourists? Do you think this striping is encouraging or discouraging tourism?
There is a second part to the design that is in process right now. Part 2 will provide
additional signage and striping. I have requested NMDOT to provide me with any
training video they would have to help answer questions. I have also requested a
training – public information meeting within the next 30 days to help.
The effects on tourism will need to be reviewed over a longer period. The six-month review will be able to answer this question.
What is the broken yellow stripe in the middle of a lane?
The yellow striped portion of the road is a multi-purpose path. The yellow striped indicates that bike traffic can move both ways on the path. The path is open to all forms of alternative transportation such as skateboarding, Bike, powered ADA carts, ect. The path is not intended for motor vehicles.
What is the public’s reaction?
The comments are certainly mixed with the largest part being unsupportive. I have received a fair number of comments supporting the road diet. Local business owners and downtown users find the road diet to be a good solution. Everyone I speak to individually agrees that the road diet is slowing traffic down.
Side note:
NMDOT has requested that we allow the road diet a full year to evaluate the success or failure of the road diet. I will host a public safety meeting for all emergency responders in the next few weeks. NMDOT has agreed to participate in 3 public safety and information meetings over the next year. One in 30 days. One in six months. One in 11-12 months.
With the new police station proposed at 210 Main Street, how are the police going to get onto Main Street with a blind corner and only one lane road, especially on a major weekend?
The concept of the road diet was presented and discussed with local police department. No concerns related to sight distance or the reduction to a one-lane concept were identified. For further information and/or comments please coordinate with your local emergency service providers.
What is the legal usage of the multi-use path? Is it only for turning? Is it for bike riders? Is it for golf cart type vehicles?
A multi-use path is a shared pedestrian and bike way that is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier, and within a highway or independent right of way. In addition to pedestrian and bicycle use, the shared use paths may also be used by, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. Multi-use paths are very common across the US and most out of town visitors may already be accustomed to the uses and rules of a multi-use path. Its purpose is to provide a safe and separate space for these users, especially in areas where motor vehicle traffic can be heavy.
Motorized vehicles are generally not allowed on multi-use paths unless explicitly stated (such as for authorized vehicles, like maintenance vehicles or, in some cases, golf carts, but typically only in specific areas where permitted).
Turning: The multi-use path is not a designated turning lane. At intersections where the path crosses a side road approaching vehicles shall yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Intersections are marked by appropriate signage and pavement markings (Stop sign/Stop bar). The path itself is continuous and bi-directional throughout the downtown area.
Pedestrians and bike riders are commonly the primary users of multi-use paths. The paths were designed to allow cyclists to travel in both directions along Main St and Broadway. This will ensure they have a safe, dedicated area rather than traveling against (wrong way) vehicular traffic. All multi-use path users should always adhere to local ordinances and federal traffic rules and use the path as directed.
What is the rhyme or reason to the white diagonal striping that interrupts the buffer and multi-use path?
The white diagonal striping that interrupts identifies the buffer zone. The buffer zone separates either the parallel parking row or the travel lane from the multi-use path. The buffer zone is designed to improve safety and guide traffic flow. These markings identify areas where vehicles and bicycles should not park or drive. In curved areas, larger vehicles (Semi-trucks) are allowed to temporarily encroach into the buffer zone to safely operate within a road diet zone. While the striping may seem confusing at first, it does help drivers navigate the area more safely, especially near intersections since it ensures adequate sight distance. The buffer zone provides additional space (safe zone protected from approaching vehicles) for drivers who want to turn onto Main St. or Broadway. After coming to a full stop at the stop bar to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists, the driver is allowed to slowly move forward into the multi-use path and next to the buffer zone to visually confirm that it is safe to complete the turning movement.
Did this striping decrease or increase parking spots?
Parking spots have stayed relatively the same in the downtown area, additional dedicated parking was added.
The purpose of the proposed road diet and striping changes is to reduce speeding, eliminate blind corners, and improve access to local businesses for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Although the speed limit is set at 25 MPH, recent studies show that many drivers are exceeding this limit, creating unsafe conditions for all roadway users. The new striping design introduces “visual friction,” which encourages drivers to slow down and pay closer attention to the corridor.
The new striping allows for 10-ft wide parallel parking rows adjacent to a single/one-directional 11-ft wide travel lane. On the opposing side a 10-ft wide multi-use path, separated by a yellow dashed stripe into two 5-ft lanes, was created to allow two directional use by pedestrians and bicyclists. Dedicated turning lanes do only exist in the proximity where the traffic pattern changes and vehicular traffic merges from two lanes into one lane. Within the downtown area vehicles will enter and exit (turn) directly from the 11-ft wide travel lane into the side streets. The buffer zone (striped diagonally) varies in width and is located either in between the parallel parking row and the multi-use path or in between the travel lane and the multi-use (normally near intersections and driveways) to ensure sight distances are adequate.
Benefits of Road Diets
Road diets offer advantages to all users of the roadway, including cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. These benefits may include:
• A reduction in crashes by 19% to 47%.
• Fewer rear-end collisions.
• Fewer right-angle and sideswipe crashes.
• A decrease in speed differentials due to lane reductions and the addition of roadway markings that enhance “visual friction” and attract drivers’ attention.
• Promotion of a more community-oriented “Complete Streets” environment.
• Fewer lanes for pedestrians to cross, improving safety.
• The possibility of incorporating bike lanes within the existing road width.
• The opportunity to repurpose surplus roadway space for on-street parking, bike lanes, or multi-use paths.
• Simplified road scanning and gap selection for drivers turning from side streets.
• Compliance with ADA accessibility standards.
Why Not Angled Parking?
According to Section 66-7-352 of the 2018 New Mexico Statutes (Chapter 66, Article 7 – Traffic Laws), local authorities may permit angle parking by ordinance, but such parking is prohibited on federal-aid or state highways unless the state highway commission has determined that the roadway is wide enough to accommodate angled parking without hindering the free flow of traffic
Let us know if you have more questions.
Email: Ami.Evans@dot.nm.gov
Ami Evans
NMDOT Public Involvement Officer
2912 E. Pine St.
Deming, NM 88030
Phone: 575-640-5981
The New Mexico Department of Transportation prioritizes the safety of all road users and appreciates your cooperation throughout this endeavor. For the latest updates, please visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation website at www.nmroads.com or call 511.