Last summer, the city of Cortez first started a project to make its streets safer.
Since then, it’s hosted open houses, created focus groups and hired consultants to create a Safe Streets Safety Action Plan that will help the city realize its “Vision Zero” goal.
The goal is a global one.
It’s “a commitment to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all,” according to its website.
“The plan also emphasizes the protection of Vulnerable Road Users – pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists – who are at greater risk of severe injury in a crash,” according to a press release from the city.
City officials, the Cortez Police Department and consultants at Bohannan Huston Inc. came together to draft the plan, which is now available for public review until March 31.
Already, community members have been “highly engaged” in the creation of the plan.
More than 40 people participated in the focus groups and open houses, 797 responded to the safe streets survey and left 409 comments on an interactive city map.
The plan addresses a slew of issues, namely “speeding, running stop lights and stop signs, distracted driving, poor yielding to pedestrians, intoxicated driving, lack of road striping and visibility issues,” the news release said.
To review the plan in full, visit CortezSafeStreets.com.
On that site, there’s a form to submit comments and recommendations. Otherwise, email cortezsafestreets@bhinc.com or call {505) 264-0111 before March 31 to comment.
After that date, the draft will be finalized and presented to City Council.
And to “turn safety initiatives into actionable improvements,” Cortez will apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
