mtp public review draft 08-31-10

8/8/2019 MTP Public Review Draft 08-31-10

1/153

Santa Fe

MetropolitanTransportation Plan

2010-2035

DRAFT

AUGUST 2010

Moving the Santa Fe

Region forward with

a sustainable, intercon-

nected Complete Streetsnetwork that aims to

provide safe and secure

access for all users.


2/153

ii | P a g e S a n t a F e 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 3 5 M T P ( D R A F T

Preparation of this Plan was funded by grants from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation (FederalHighways Administration and Federal Transit Administration) and local funds from Santa Fe MPO member jurisdictions.

The policies, findings, and recommendations contained in this Plan do not necessarily represent the views of the state and federal agenciesidentified above and do not obligate those agencies to provide funding to implement the contents of the Plan as adopted.

The Santa Fe MPO assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex as provided by Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be

otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information:Materials can be provided in alternative formats by contacting

the Santa Fe MPO at (505) 955-6625.

Unless otherwise credited, photographs in this document are courtesy of Mark Tibbetts and Keith Wilson.


3/153

iii | P a g e S a n t a F e 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 3 5 M T P ( D R A F T

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary ...................................................................................................... 1

1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 3

1.1 What is the Santa Fe MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan?.......................... 5

1.2 Accomplishments from 2005-2030 MTP ............................................................ 6

1.3 Why Do We Need a Metropolitan Transportation Plan?..................................... 8

1.4 Relationship to Other Plans and Agencies......................................................... 9

1.5 Metropolitan Transportation Organization Structure......................................... 13

1.6 Public Participation Plan .................................................................................. 17

1.7 Glossary of Terms............................................................................................ 17

2.0 Community Structure: Characteristics of the Santa Fe Region ....................19

2.1 Demographics: Overall Makeup of the Region................................................. 20

2.2 Population Trends and Forecasts .................................................................... 22

2.3 Employment Characteristics and Growth ......................................................... 25

2.4 Natural Environment and Land Development .................................................. 28

2.5 Air Quality......................................................................................................... 29

2.6 Cultural Environment........................................................................................ 29

2.7 Travel Demand Forecasting Process............................................................... 30

3.0 Existing Multimodal System and Future Demand .......................................... 31

3.1 Roadway System ............................................................................................. 31

3.2

Regional Transit and Rail System.................................................................... 45

3.3 Bikeways System ............................................................................................. 57

3.4 Pedestrian System ........................................................................................... 61

3.5 Freight and Commerce .................................................................................... 64

3.6 Aviation ............................................................................................................ 65

4.0 Sustainable Transportation Toolbox ............................................................... 67

4.1 Complete Streets and Context Sensitive Solutions ..........................................67

4.2 Land Use Strategies/Transit Oriented Development........................................ 72

4.3

Transportation System Management ............................................................... 72

4.4 Transportation Demand Management.............................................................. 75

4.5 Sustainable Construction Methods................................................................... 77

5.0 Transportation Projects Considered for the MTP Update.............................. 79

5.1 MTP Goals and Objectives............................................................................... 79

5.2 Multimodal Level-of-Service Objectives ........................................................... 85

5.3 Regional Roadway System .............................................................................. 86


4/153

iv | P a g e S a n t a F e 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 3 5 M T P ( D R A F T

5.4 Regional Transit and Rail Systems .................................................................. 98

5.5 Regional Bikeway System.............................................................................. 102

5.6 Regional Pedestrian System.......................................................................... 103

5.7 Freight and Intermodal System......................................................................104

5.8 Transportation Safety and Security................................................................ 104

5.9

Aviation .......................................................................................................... 105

6.0 The MTP: Regional Transportation Priorities ............................................... 107

6.1 Prioritization Framework ................................................................................ 107

6.2 Public Process ............................................................................................... 108

6.3 Roadway System Priorities Plan .................................................................... 109

6.4 Transit Priorities Plan..................................................................................... 116

6.5 Bikeway Priorities Plan................................................................................... 119

6.6 Pedestrian Priorities Plan............................................................................... 123

6.7

Freight and Commerce System...................................................................... 127

6.8 Aviation .......................................................................................................... 127

6.9 Financially Constrained MTP Project List....................................................... 127

6.10 Recommended Next Steps ............................................................................127

7.0 Financial Plan ..................................................................................................129

7.1 Financial Summary and Outlook .................................................................... 130

7.2 Fiscally Constrained Plan Projects................................................................. 134

7.3 Illustrative Plan............................................................................................... 141

8.0

Certifications ...................................................................................................143

8.1 Environmental Review ................................................................................... 143

8.2 Consistency with Other Plans and Programs................................................. 143

8.3 Summary of Compliance with Planning Provisions ........................................ 143

Acronyms and Glossary of Terms...........................................................................145

Appendices................................................................................................................ 147

Table of Figures ........................................................................................................148

List of Tables............................................................................................................. 149


5/153

1 | P a g e S a n t a F e 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 3 5 M T P ( D R A F T )

Executive Summary

The theme of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2010-2035 (MTP) is Moving theSanta Fe Region forward with a sustainable, interconnected Complete Streets networkthat aims to provide safe and secure access for all users. The regions transportationsystem has been enhanced by a $400 million investment of state and federal funds for a new

passenger rail system connecting the governmental center for the state in Santa Fe with itscommercial and business center in Albuquerque. However, it is now challenged due to theworldwide economic downturn with severely constrained agency budgets, as well as a lack ofaffordable housing in the region, and continued escalation in the cost of transportationprojects. The region simply cannot afford to meet its long-term needs to build new or improvedtransportation infrastructure, or expand public transportation services, under current financialresources. We must face up to the challenge to be fiscally responsible in creating asustainable, interconnected and multimodal transportation system.

How do we do this? This MTP is a departure from the previous MTP in a number of ways:

The sustainable part of our theme reflects the balance of the desire to reducetransportations contribution to Greenhouse gas emissions and its impact on theenvironment, while also recognizing that funding for transportation projects will bescarce and highly competitive for the foreseeable future.

By emphasizing accessible, interconnected complete streets, the MTPs projectpriorities and emphasis areas relate to local, state and federal planning and livabilityprinciples.

Providing safe and secure access for all users not only develops a transportationsystem at a human scale, rather than a vehicular one, but it brings back the sense of

community and encourages a balanced choice of transportation modes on theinterconnected system.

Additionally, this MTP considers a number of new factors in prioritizing projects on our regionalroadway system, and you will find that these evaluation criteria reflect the MTPs overarchingtheme as well as the planning and livability principles which now prevail in our decision-making. Roadway projects have been identified through corridors studies along I-25, St.Francis Drive, and NM 599 as well as established City and County priorities. Projects arerated according to their effect on prioritization factors including Safety, Mobility /CongestionRelief, Multi-modal Enhancement, and System Interconnectivity.

Along with these new prioritization factors, the MTP directs the Santa Fe MPO to take on a

number of initiatives to advance how the transportation system will become an accessible,interconnected, sustainable and multimodal system, including:

Undertaking a Regional Transit and Rail Study to continue toward establishing a long-range transit development plan for the region

Working with the bicycle and pedestrian community to develop a Regional BikewaysMaster Plan and a Regional Pedestrian Facilities Plan;


6/153


Continuing efforts to develop a congestion management system to includeunderstanding local and statewide freight mobility needs.

Incorporating the 2010 Census information into short- and long-range planning,including recalibration of the travel forecasting model for the region and a program tocollect updated traffic counts.

The process to develop this MTP emphasized transparency and community inclusion.Transportation stakeholders in the region were invited to provide their transportation needsand concerns, as well as their input on the draft plan and its project priorities.

The MTP 2010-2035, as well as the Santa Fe MPO Transportation Improvement Program(TIP) and other documents related to the MPO can be viewed on-line at www.santafenm.gov.

For comments or questions please contact us, the MPO staff.

Mark Tibbetts Keith WilsonMPO Officer MPO Senior [email protected] [email protected]

505-955-6614 505-955-6706

MPO Office Location: MPO Mailing Address:120 South Federal Place P.O. Box 909Room 321 Santa Fe, NM 87504Santa Fe, NM


7/153


1.0 Introduction

As its 400th anniversary is being celebrated,the City of Santa Fe, its Downtown, nearbyemployment centers, cultural attractions andclean air continue to be major destinationsfor local and regional commuters, residents,and tourists. The existing road network, withcapacity constraints and lacking adequateconnectivity, is now beginning to showevidence of level of service failures. PeakPeriod congestion and delay, althoughrelatively short in duration compared to largerurban areas, is most evident at intersectionsalong our regions principal arterials: St.Francis Drive, Cerrillos Road, Rodeo/AirportRoads, and Old Pecos Trail.

Santa Fe County continues to experiencemost of its growth in the south and southwestsectors of the current urban area, and withinthe Community College District south of I-25.This outward expansion brings increasingtraffic congestion to transportation facilitieswhich were built to handle rural trafficconditions. With outward expansion alsocomes reduced population and employment

densities, which are more difficult toefficiently serve with transit and non-vehicular modes such bicycle and pedestrianfacilities. These growth sectors will continueto be stimulated through the build out ofapproved subdivisions and mixed usecommercial development as well as throughcity and county initiatives to boost the localeconomy by providing and promotingaffordable housing, educationalopportunities, and jobs creation. With many

Santa Fe region job-holders commuting fromthe more affordable housing markets inAlbuquerque and Rio Rancho the I-25corridor becomes more important as aprimary commute corridor for the region.The continued availability of intercity transit,such as Rail Runner and intercity busservice, to serve this commute will be criticalto the regions economic future.

As with many areas, the economy of theSanta Fe region has been hard-hit by theGreat Recession of 2008-2010. Capitalbudgets at all levels of government havebeen scaled back, resulting in increasedcompetition for limited available funding.Along with reduced revenues comes thecontinued escalation of the cost of projectimplementation. The construction cost of aproject is no longer the single largestcomponent of the cost of doingtransportation business. The demand forenhanced and increasingly-inclusivecommunity involvement, right-of-wayacquisition that at many times impactsresidents and businesses, increasingenvironmental impact mitigationrequirements, and inflation in the cost ofconstruction materials has resulted in over a30 percent increase in the cost ofimplementing projects since the last MTPupdate in 2005.

The challenge facing this MTP, and ourtransportation system in general, is to

establish a financially-responsible,sustainable, interconnected multimodaltransportation system.

To meet this challenge, there are 'areas ofemphasis' highlighted throughout the MTPthat describe strategies to help facilitateimplementation of the plan.

This Santa Fe Metropolitan TransportationPlan 2035 is an update of the previous MTP2030 that was adopted in 2005. At that time,Santa Fe was experiencing steady growth inresidential and commercial development thatwas supported by a strong economy bothlocally and nationally. Federal and Stateinvestment in transportation infrastructure forSanta Fe was notable with $400 million spentto extend the Rail Runner commuter trainservice to Santa Fe. There was great


8/153


expectation of the positive impact it wouldhave on reducing the number commuter tripsby single occupant vehicles between hereand Albuquerque. Rail Runner stationlocations were identified, designed, and builtwith the vision of transit orienteddevelopment soon to follow.

When the economy faltered and stalled in2008, developers scaled back and therealization of that vision slowed. As layoffscontinue, people spend less, which impactsthe availability of public financing. Acontinuing drop in gross receipt taxes hasnow lessened the ability of Santa Fe MPOmember governments to meet matchingfunds requirements for major transportationinfrastructure improvements. Likewise, there

is a reluctance to issue local bonds tofinance capital improvement projects andtransportation infrastructure with projecteddeclining tax revenues as the source of theirpayoff.

Given the absence of a new federaltransportation funding act and the prospectof continuing resolutions of limited federalfunding to states for transit and highwayimprovements and the fact that priority will be

given to the needs of larger urban centers,interstates and national highway systemprojects, innovative funding mechanisms andcost sharing will likely be required formunicipal and county led projects. Fiscalconstraint and reasonably expectedrevenues have put a reality check onprevious MTP wish lists of major projects tofocus rather on those that provide interimfixes in order to delay the need for moreexpensive long term solutions. Many of the

projects identified in this MTP, in addition tothose constrained to a prioritized list, havemet criteria that reflect the goals andobjectives of the MTP as well as the federalplanning factors and livability principles thathelp guide development of a sustainabletransportation system.

Following the federal guidance for emphasison merging affordable housing and effectivetransit oriented development with lowenvironmental impact requires a compacturban design of mixed land use and anefficient and accessible public transportationsystem. A well connected and safe systemof bikeways and pedestrian pathwayscompliments this type of development andpromotes usage of these facilities. Strategicplanning for improving bikeways connectivityand safer pedestrian facilities as well aspromoting multi-modal travel options areareas of emphasis in the MTP.

The demographic trends noted in theCommunity Structure section of the MTPhighlight a need to focus transportation

planning on accommodating the needs of anaging population in Santa Fe. Likewise, witheconomic constraints and rising costs tooperate and maintain private vehicles, aswell as those seeking healthier lifestyles,more people will be out of their cars andpopulating the streets.

Employing Context Sensitive Solutions andComplete Streets design standards willhelp make these local transportation

corridors safer and more attractive to allusers. Redefining level of service to includelevels of comfort, quality and convenience fornon-motorized usage instead of only forvehicle speed and efficiency will need anegotiated balance of public input andreasonable judgment from transportationprofessionals.


9/153


1.1 What is the Santa Fe MPOMetropolitan Transportation Plan?

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)will serve as an important framework inaddressing the transportation needs of the

Santa Fe MPO over a 25 year horizon. Thisdocument is a federally required five-yearupdate of the previous MTP 2005-2030.Long-range transportation plans for themetropolitan area have traditionally beenincluded as an element in the comprehensiveplans of the city and county. While theseseparate city and county plans continue tocontain transportation elements, it isintended that this plan and other localgovernment plans be consistent.

Federal guidance of MPO planning activitiesis found in Title 49, Section 5303 of the

current federal transportation act, the Safe,Accountable, Flexible, EfficientTransportation Equity Act: A Legacy forUsers (SAFETEA-LU), which has identifiedeight planning factors that the metropolitanplanning process in general, and specificallythe MTP, must consider. These factors are:

1. Support the economic vitality of themetropolitan area, especially by enablingglobal competitiveness, productivity andefficiency;

2. Increase the safety of the transportationsystem for motorized and non-motorized

users;

3. Increase the security of the transportationsystem for motorized and non-motorizedusers;

4. Increase the accessibility and mobilityoptions available to people and for freight;

5. Protect and enhance the environment,promote energy conservation, andimprove quality of life;

6. Enhance the integration and connectivityof the transportation system, across andbetween modes, for people and freight;

7. Promote efficient system managementand operation; and

8. Emphasize the preservation of theexisting transportation system.

In 2009, U.S. Secretary of Transportation,

Ray La Hood announced the establishmentof the following six Livability Principles toguide federal policy and coordinate programsin agencies including: federal transportation,environmental protection, and housinginvestments. The Six Livability Principlesare:

Expanding access to affordable housing,particularly located close to transit;

Providing more transportation choices;

Enhancing economic competitivenessgiving people access to jobs, education,and services as well as giving businessesaccess to markets;

Targeting federal funds towards existingcommunities to spur revitalization andprotect rural landscapes;

While the Transportation Policy Board isthe decision-making body for the SantaFe MPO, metropolitan planning includesinput from a number of other committeesand agencies.


10/153


Increasing collaboration among federal,state, and local governments to bettertarget investments and improveaccountability;

Valuing the unique qualities of allcommunitieswhether urban, suburban,or rural.

The content of this plan is "multi-modal" innature. It covers all of the different modes orforms of surface transportation includingpedestrian and bicycle facilities, publictransportation, and roadways. It is also"inter-modal" in that it examines facilitieswhere people, or goods, can transfer fromone form of transportation to another.Development of the plan follows a publicinvolvement process for input, review and

comment that is contained in the MPO PublicParticipation Plan, which is available onlineat www.santafempo.org and at the MPOoffice.

The population and employment projections,as well as the travel demand projections, forthe MTP Update are considered as anInterim Year 2035 projections. The 2010Census statistics are expected to bereleased in 2012, and at that time the MPO

will incorporate this data into the regionaltravel demand model and complete arecalibration effort. Following pastundertakings, it is anticipated that theCensus data will result in a modification offuture growth projections and patterns, andthe model recalibration effort will provide anupdated way to project multimodaltransportation demand. The outcome ofthese efforts will coincide with the nextregular update of the Santa Fe MPO MTP

2010-2035 which will be conducted in 2015,although amendments may be made to thisplan prior to that time. This Plan draws fromthe following planning efforts: the City ofSanta Fe General Plan, the Arterial RoadsTask Force Future Roads Plan, the Santa FeCounty Growth Management Plan andSustainable Land Development Plan, threemajor corridor studies along I-25, NM 599

and St. Francis Drive, transit/rail reports andstation location studies, and a series oftransit-oriented development studies.

The intent of this document is to lay thegroundwork for a future transportationsystem. Many of the factors that will

influence this system will continue to berefined in subsequent planning efforts. Forexample, the recommendations for improvingthe roads network were developed inconjunction with detailed land use andgrowth projections provided by city andcounty planning staffs. MPO staff willcontinue to monitor actual land developmentpatterns and will work closely in otherplanning efforts in the metropolitan area toassure that the plans are coordinated. Modal

priorities plans for the transit system, andbikeways and pedestrian master plans, willbe developed in the next two years andincorporated into an update to this MTP.

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan is notintended solely as a budget document or aproject list. It will be used, however, as thebasis to develop the projects that areprogrammed and budgeted in theTransportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The TIP sets short-term (4-year) projectpriorities, and is reviewed and approved bythe Transportation Policy Board. Theminimum requirement is that any project thatwill use federal funding must be referencedin the MTP and included in the TIP.

1.2 Accomplishments from 2005-2030MTP

The 2005-2030 MTP recommended threehigh-priority corridor studies and plans, along

with several priority transportationimprovements. A number of these efforts arenow underway, or were completed between2005 and 2010. These are summarizedbelow.

The corridor studies, contracted by the NewMexico Department of Transportation(NMDOT) and supported by the Santa Fe


11/153


Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)were initiated to address congestion andsafety issues along I-25, St. Francis Drive,and NM 599. Recommendations from thesestudies comprise many of the identified andprioritized State and National HighwaySystem projects to be designed, funded, andconstructed over the next 25 years andbeyond and are listed in Chapter 5 of theMTP. The MPO has also identified andprioritized regionally significant local agencyled projects from City and Countyrecommendations that will improve safety,network connectivity, and multi-modaloptions. These are also located in Chapter5.

Improvements Contained in Current MPO

TIP or completed since 2005

In the MTP 2005-2030 a number of roadnetwork projects were identified as prioritiesto be completed between 2005 and 2010.The following list identifies the projects thathave been completed since 2005:

Cerrillos Road Reconstruction -Camino Consuelo to Cielo Court

Rodeo Road Safety Improvements Galisteo to Zia Road

Rodeo Road/Richards AvenueIntersection Improvements

Siler Road Bridge and RoadExtension - Agua Fria Street to WestAlameda Street

NMDOT Corridor Studies - Interstate-25, NM 599, and St. Francis Drive

South Meadows Road - Airport Roadto Agua Fria Road

NorthEast Connector - Rabbit Road to

Oshara Village Airport Road Safety Improvements -

NM599 to Country Club Road

A number of other recommendations areeither currently under construction or will beunder construction within the next year. Thefollowing list identifies these projects:

Agua Fria Street Reconstruction Henry Lynch to San Ysidro Crossing

South Meadows Road Agua FriaStreet to NM599

Airport Road Safety Improvements Country Club Road to Lopez Lane

Cerrillos Road Reconstruction CieloCourt to Camino Carlos Rey Caja Del Rio widening and resurfacing

Frontage Road to Las Campanas NM 599/Jaguar Drive Interchange

(Privately funded)

In addition to the proposed roadway networkimprovements, the MPO promotes multi-modal facility improvements that encourageusage by making car alternative optionsattractive, affordable, and viable.

The transit/rail option was given a hugeboost in 2008 with the arrival of the RailRunner Express and the transitinterconnections available at each of thestations in Santa Fe.

Continued expansion of Santa Fes arterialbikeways trails system includes:

Rail Trail extension south to RabbitRoad

Arroyo Chamiso Trail under RodeoRoad to Nava Ade

River Trail extension west of Alire

Acequia Trail south to Baca

In addition, the MPO initiated andcoordinated production of the Santa FeBikeways and Trails map (2008 and updatedin 2009). This route finding guide as well as

events such as the Bike to Work Week haveencouraged more people to choose theirbicycle over their car for some of their trips.


12/153


1.3 Why Do We Need a MetropolitanTransportation Plan?

The MTP identifies current and futuretransportation needs, and provides acoordinated and consistent road map for

investment in the regional transportationsystem for the next 25 years. The MTPfulfills both State of New Mexico and federalrequirements for the Santa Fe metropolitanarea, which enables it to continue to receivestate and federal transportation funding. Byhaving an MTP, the region cancomprehensively plan for population andeconomic growth for our long-term future. Italso provides for a true transportation systemof interconnected highways, transit facilities,

bikeways and pedestrian facilities, intercitypassenger rail, and airports.

Federal funding which flows into the regionfor transportation improvements must becontained in the Transportation ImprovementProgram (TIP) for each metropolitan area,and all federal-aid projects programmed in

the State of New Mexico must be included inthe Statewide Transportation ImprovementProgram (STIP).

Inclusion of a planned improvement is onlythe first step in the process which willeventually lead to implementing a project.

Local, state and federal regulations requirethat the community must be involved in eachsucceeding stage, including project planningand development, environmental clearancesand documentation, design, andconstruction.

From inclusion of a project into the MTP tocompletion and opening of a project couldtake 10 years or more. The chart to the leftshows the general project development

process. A more detailed discussion of theMTP through project implementation processis included in the Financial Plan chapter.

Unified Planning Work Program

The purpose of the Unified Planning WorkProgram (UPWP) is to outline multimodaltransportation planning activities within afinancially constrained budget to beconducted in the Santa Fe MPO planningarea for a one or two year period. Federal

definition of a Unified Planning WorkProgram (UPWP) is a statement of workidentifying the planning priorities andactivities to be carried out within ametropolitan planning area. At a minimum, aUPWP includes a description of the planningwork and resulting products, who will performthe work, time frames for completing thework, the cost of the work, and the source(s)of funds (23CFR450.104).

The objective of the UPWP is to ensure thatmetropolitan planning efforts are coordinatedbetween the regional transportation entities,including local and state agencies and transitagencies. This MTP update was conductedas one of the UPWP efforts. Chapter 6 ofthe MTP includes MPO Emphasis Areas foreach mode, which the Santa Fe MPO will beemphasizing to ensure that the MTP policies


13/153


are being implemented in regional projectplanning and development. A number ofthese Emphasis Areas will be incorporatedinto future UPWPs as part of the MTPimplementation process.

1.4 Relationship to Other Plans and

Agencies

Metropolitan planning requirementsadministered jointly by Federal HighwaysAdministration (FHWA) and Federal TransitAdministration (FTA) require that MPOsestablish a "continuing, cooperative, andcomprehensive transportation planningprocess". The process should result intransportation plans and programs that areconsistent with the comprehensive land useplans of all jurisdictions within the region, andis also required to be consistent with thestatewide transportation plan.

The following summarizes how the MTPrelates to other local, regional and statewideplans both in the MPO area as well as inadjacent areas with which the Santa Fe MPOcoordinates.

Other Regional Planning Entities

There are two other entities which provideregional planning functions in coordinationwith the Santa Fe MPO. The Santa FeRegional Planning Authority (RPA) iscomprised of four Santa Fe City Councilorsand four County Commissioners. The RPAwas set up to provide a forum for deliberationon matters of joint interest to the City andCounty. The RPA studies and makes policyon such matters including, but not limited toimplementation of the RPA Land Use Planand Map, mutually agreed upon zoningissues, coordination of City and County andRPA Capital Improvement Plans, integratedtransportation and transit plans andinfrastructure financing. The City and County

have agreed to plan and implement andprovide oversight for expanded transitservices in Santa Fe City and County, andhave designated the RPA to oversee thecreation, planning, and implementation ofregional networks for public transit services.

The RPA adopted a Regional Transit ServicePlan in October 2009. This plan was theresult of extensive coordination betweenRPA, Santa Fe County, City of SantaFe/Santa Fe Trails, North Central RegionalTransit District, Santa Fe MetropolitanPlanning Organization, Northern Pueblos

Regional Planning Organization, and theNew Mexico Department of Transportation.The Plan adopted was a 2010-2011 serviceplan for short-term transit improvements andalso called for a concerted effort to establisha longer-term service plan.

The 2009 Santa Fe City and County

Regional PlanningAuthority Regional

Transit

Service

Plan

was

the

regions

first attempt at a regional transit

systemplan.


14/153


The Northern Pueblos Regional PlanningOrganization (NPRPO) is a transportationplanning organization for Rio Arriba County,Taos County, Los Alamos County and SantaFe County. The NPRPO membershipincludes staff from cities and the fourcounties, the pueblos of Tesuque, Picuris,Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Nambe,Pojoaque, Taos, Ohkay Owingeh, theJicarilla Apache Nation, and the NMDOT.The NPRPO elicits projects for multi-modaltransportation and enhancementimprovements from its members andrecommends them for inclusion into the 4-year Statewide Transportation ImprovementProgram (STIP). The North Central NewMexico Economic Development District(NCNMEDD) is the fiscal agent for the

NPRPO. The MPO and RPO will have directcommunication to coordinate transportation

planning activities on projects that impactboth organizations.

SAFETEA-LU places the obligation on statesto determine transportation needs in non-metropolitan areas in consultation with localelected officials. As with MPOs, this processmust be a continuing, cooperative andcomprehensive planning process. Outside ofmetropolitan areas, the State of New Mexico

has established Regional PlanningOrganizations to provide forums for allaffected local governments, tribal entities,state transportation agencies, federaltransportation agencies and otherstakeholders to provide a consistent andcoordinated transportation planning process.

The NPRPO provides a forum for promotinghighway safety, protecting environmentalquality, preserving cultural resources andassessing residential and commercialdevelopment impacts on the regionaltransportation infrastructure1. The NPRPOsplanning area includes Tesuque Pueblo,which is also in the Santa Fe MPO planningarea. The Long Range RegionalTransportation Plan (November 2007) does

not have a planning horizon year expresslystated; however, it does provide a set oflong-range transportation priorities, includingcorridor plans, safety improvements, andtransit and highway capacity improvementson I-25, US-285, NM-14, NM-599, and US-84/US-285.

Transit Plans

Long range transit planning involves both theMPO Area and consideration of the largerregion. The provision of public transit servingSanta Fe and Santa Fe County iscomplicated, involving several operators andproviders:

Santa Fe Trails, operated by the City ofSanta Fe, provides local bus serviceprimarily within the city, with two routesserving unincorporated areas adjacent tothe citys south side with one providingconnection to the Rail Runner station at

NM599 also. The Citys Parking Division operates the

Santa Fe Pick Up, a downtown circulatorconnecting the Santa Fe Depot RailRunner station (the north end thecommuter rail line running to

1NPRPO website, http://nprpo.com/.


15/153


Albuquerque) with major destinationsdowntown.

The North Central Regional TransitDistrict (NCRTD) is a state-authorized,multi-county transit provider establishedin 2004 to finance, construct, operate,and maintain new, regional mobilityoptions and access to critical services.The mission of the North CentralRegional Transit District is to providesafe, secure and effective publictransportation within North Central NewMexico in order to enhance the quality oflife of our citizens by providing mobilityoptions and spur economic developmentthroughout the region2.

The New Mexico Department ofTransportation (NMDOT), through variouscontractual and administrativearrangements, manages Rail Runner,several employee shuttles connecting toRail Runner stations, and a statewideparkandride system.

Other transit providers operating withinSanta Fe County include the TaosExpress, private entities, and others.

In November 2008, Santa Fe Countyvoters, along with those in several other

north

central New Mexico counties,passed a oneeighth cent transit grossreceipts tax (TGRT) which is dedicated tofunding the ongoing operation of, andtransit connections to, Rail Runner, theregions commuter rail service connectingSanta Fe and metropolitan Albuquerque.The Santa Fe City and County RegionalPlanning Authority (RPA) is responsiblefor allocating a portion of TGRT revenueswithin Santa Fe and Santa Fe County.

The NCRTD adopted a 2008-2013 ServicePlan. To date, the NCRTD provides minimaltransit service within the Santa Fe MPOarea; Santa Fe Trails and other transitentities within the MPO area have not joined

2North Central Regional Transit District website,

http://www.ncrtd.org.

NCRTD and serve as separate transitproviders. The 2008-2013 Service Plan doesnot include consolidation of the Santa Feregions transit operators, but does call out anumber of transit service improvements, byeach operator, which will receive somefunding from NCTRD (excerpted from the2008-2013 NCTRD Service Plan):

With the agreement of the County andCity of Santa Fe, the planning for newservices will be carried out by stafffrom those agencies. NCRTD willprovide a fixed financial contribution tothe County for these services. In2009-2010 $2.4 million is budgeted tofund the local service portion of theRegional Rail Service.

The Rail Runner is being managed bya partnership between the Mid RegionCouncil of Governments and the NewMexico Department of Transportation.Santa Fe County is responsible forproviding a share of the operatingcosts. Resolution 2008-11 establisheda distribution process between theNCRTD and Santa Fe County thatprovides funds for the suggestedimprovements listed in this update.

Expansion of service in the followingareas: Greater El Dorado, Santa FeCounty NM 14 Route, CommunityCollege District Route, PojoaqueCorridor (add Rio Arriba service fromEspanola to Pojoaque, and Santa FeCounty service from Pojoaque toSanta Fe), Espanola-Chimayo-Pojoaque (new service)

Per service recommendations ofSanta Fe Trails, the following lines will

increase service: Route 6 service toSouthside and Eastside residents, thehospital, and the anticipated RailRunner station at Zia Road, Route 4service expansion to Southside andMid-city residents, state offices, andthe anticipated Rail Runner station atthe NMDOT General Office, Route 2


16/153


Service expansion to provide newservice along Cerrillos Road south ofRodeo Road to serve the state offices,growing retail establishments, and theRail Runner station at NM 599.

Statewide Multimodal TransportationPlan

The New Mexico 2030: Statewide MultimodalTransportation Plan (SMPT: December2009) serves as the statewide long-rangetransportation plan required by federalstatute. The SMTP defines NMDOTstandards, policies, protocols, and decision-making processes for the statewidetransportation system, and establishesstrategy and priorities for the projects to beincluded in the Statewide Transportation

Improvement Program (STIP).

The 2030 Plans Goals and Objectives addup to a subtle shift in direction for theNMDOT, one that builds upon priorinitiatives, plans and policies while givingeven greater emphasis to multi-modalism(including nontraditional, non-motorizedmodes of travel) and Travel DemandManagement (TDM), environmental andcultural resource conservation, andpartnering with other agencies and localentities to promote sustainable economicdevelopment and jobs creation, and tofacilitate livability in terms of residentsenjoying a broad range of transportationchoices.

The SMTP anticipates population for theSanta Fe Metropolitan Area (including theMPO planning area and Santa Fe County asa whole) to increase from a 2000 populationof 129,292 to reach 212,085 in 2025. The

2030 SMTP has incorporated the 2005-2030Santa Fe MTP by reference; future updatesto the SMTP will reference the updated2010-2035 MTP.

Components of the SMTP for which the MTPmust coordinate, and be consistent, include:

Statewide Highway and Transit SystemPlanning: the SMTP contains policies,priorities, strategies and project prioritiesfor the state highway system, state freightrail system, and intercity passenger railsystem.

Intra-State High-Speed Rail CorridorInitiative: New Mexico, along with

Colorado and Texas, have formed apartnership to study and plan fordeveloping a high-speed rail corridorbetween El Paso and Denver, whichwould run through New Mexico. Thisthree-state partnership is seeking thedesignation to be the nations eleventhhigh speed rail corridor. If the corridor

The purpose of the 2030 SMTP is to:Facilitate the safe and efficientmanagement, operation, and developmentof surface transportation systems servingthe mobility needs of people and freight(including accessible pedestrianwalkways and bicycle transportationfacilities); and foster economic growthand development, while minimizingtransportation-related fuel consumptionand air pollution.


17/153


becomes reality, it would likely include astation in Santa Fe.

Rail Runner: In 2005 the State of NewMexico purchased approximately 270miles of BNSF railroad right of waybetween Belen and Raton and nowprovides intercity passenger railoperations between the cities of Belenand Santa Fe with anticipated servicealong the entire corridor in the future.This service is administered by NMDOT.MPOs along the corridor continue to beinvolved in the Rail Runner and highspeed rail planning process.

Transportation and Tourism: theNorthern Rio Grande National HeritageArea was established by the U.S.Congress in October, 2006 to honor theheritage, culture and traditions of severalcounties in New Mexico, including SantaFe County. The NRGNHA is managed bya non-profit organization which serves asa liaison with federal, State, and localgovernments, including the Santa FeMPO. The NRGNHA encompasses anumber of scenic drives, including: theEnchanted Circle Scenic Byway; PuyScenic Byway; El Camino Real NationalScenic Byway; Route 66 National ScenicByway; Santa Fe National Forest ScenicByway; Santa Fe Trail National ScenicByway; Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway;and the High Road to Taos.

Local Plans

The Santa Fe General Plan (1999) envisionsa compact urban area where a multi-modaltransportation system is encouraged andimplemented via the regional transit system,

commuter rail, and regional bikeways andpedestrian system. The General Planincludes policies which encouragealternatives to automobile trips, minimizingtrip lengths by mixing of land uses andfocusing growth along transit corridors, andan interconnected street network.

Santa Fe Countys Growth ManagementPlan calls for Transportation Actions whichpromote a variety of transportation systemsin the County, including mass transit,bicycles, pedestrians, equestrian uses andvehicles.

The Countys Sustainable Land DevelopmentPlan (2010) transportation element aims tocreate the road map for providing safeaccess and mobility to a full range ofservices including employment, educationalopportunities and goods and servicesthroughout the County as well as to otherservice areas outside of Santa Fe County.Included in the SLDP are Binding Principlesand Critical Findings to the Countystransportation system which focus on

developing a sustainable transportationsystem via multimodal projects, TransitOriented Development, and a contextsensitive complete streets approach.

1.5 Metropolitan TransportationOrganization Structure

Santa Fe was designated a MetropolitanPlanning Organization (MPO) in 1982 by thefederal government when the population ofthe metropolitan area reached 50,000. The

purpose of the MPO is to create a forum fortransportation decision making in themetropolitan planning area.

The Transportation Policy Board (TPB) isrecognized as the official decision-makingbody of the MPO by the FHWA and FTA, andits approval is required for policy decisionsand published documents. The TPB iscomprised of appointed representatives frommember governing bodies and agencies. The

City of Santa Fe is represented by the Mayorand two City Councilors, Santa Fe County bythree County Commissioners, TesuquePueblo by the Governor or their designeeand NMDOT by a Cabinet Secretary or theirdesignee. The MPO Transportation PolicyBoard (TPB) meetings are held monthly todisseminate transportation related


18/153


information and provide opportunity for publicinput and discussion.

A Transportation Coordinating Committee(TCC) was created to discuss currenttransportation issues; review documents andprojects; and, provide recommendations to

the Transportation Policy Board on technicalmatters. The Technical CoordinatingCommittee (TCC) meetings are heldmonthly. It is comprised of MPO memberplanning, public works and developmentreview staff along with transit serviceproviders that operate within the MPOPlanning Area, including Santa Fe Trails andNorth Central Regional Transit District.

The Santa Fe MPO Planning Area includes

the Santa Fe urbanized area and portions ofthe central core region of Santa Fe Countyincluding those areas expected to urbanizeover the next twenty years. The MPO staffworks within a geographic area (calledtransportation analysis zones) for traveldemand analysis and modeling that includesEldorado, Las Campanas, La Cienega,Tesuque, and other land that more nearlydefines a Santa Fe Metropolitantransportation planning area. According to

federal transportation planning regulations,MPO boundaries may be changed based onthe approval of the Transportation PolicyBoard of the MPO and the Governor of theState.

A change in the MPO Planning AreaBoundary does not require approval of eitherthe Federal Highway Administration or theFederal Transit Administration of the U.S.Department of Transportation, but thoseagencies are to be notified of any boundarychanges.

Federal Regulations (U.S., 23 CFR, Part450.308, 1993) state:

Where appropriate, adjustments shouldbe made to reflect the most comprehensiveboundary to foster an effective planningprocess that ensures connectivity between

modes, reduces access disadvantagesexperienced by modal systems, andpromotes efficient overall transportationinvestment strategies.

In 2009, the SFMPO planning area boundarywas expanded to include Tesuque Pueblo

lands to the north and the area to southbounded by the AMTRAK rail line. This wasdone to include Tesuque Pueblo in the MPO,improve coordination of transit serviceplanning in the region and coincide with theboundary of Transportation Analysis Zonesused for travel demand modeling.

MPO staff facilitates the transportationplanning process, and is responsible for thedevelopment and preparation of all plans and

associated documents required of an MPO.Staff also performs data analysis and carriesout studies or planning activities as specifiedin the Unified Planning Work Program and atthe direction of the Policy Board. Staff iscomprised of the MPO Director and MPOSenior Planner.


19/153


Metropolitan Planning Organization Structure

The following map (Figure 1-1) shows the current MPO planning area.


20/153


Figure 1-1 Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Area

Santa Fe

Municipal Airport

Lamy

PuebloTesuque

Galisteo

Cerrillos

La Cienega

Las Companas

Eldorado

College

SantaFe

25

25

25

25

tu84

tu84

tu285

tu285

tu285

tu285

14

14

41

599

599

599

I25SOUT

H

I25NO

RTH

US285

US84

-285

S T A T E

R D

1 4

AGUA

FRIA

ST

O L D B U

C K M A N R D

STATERD

41

RODEO RD

VETERA

NSMEM

ORIAL

HWY

PASEORE

AL

ST

AT

ER

D475

CAMINOLOSABUELOS

TANORD

OLDLASVEGASHWY

RUFIN

AST

BISH

O P SLODGER

D

AIRPORTRD

RICHARDSA

VE

BONANZA CREEK RD

SFWATE

RSHED

SIRINGO RD

CAJ A

D ELRI OR

D

RABBIT RD

CANYO

NRD

JAGUARD

R

HYDEP A

RK

RD

AVENIDA VISTAGRANDE

SS

AINTFRANCISDR

AVENIDAELDORADO

OLDSANTAFETR

L

GA

LI ST

EO S

T

OLDPECOSTR

AIL

YUCCAS

T

OLDSANTAFE

TRAIL

TESUQUEVILL

AGERD

GOVERNORMILESRD

BUCKMA

NRDLAS

CAMP

A N AS

DR

L O P E Z L N

SAINTMICHAELSDR

MUTTNELSON RD

CER

RILL

OSRD

EZIARD

EALAMEDAST

D O N

G A S P A R

A V E

PASE

OD

E VISTA

S

PASEON O

PAL

SMEADOWSRD

AVIATIO

NDR

CERROGO

RDO

RD

AR

RO

YO

HONDO

RD

GONZ

ALE

SRD

JEMEZRD

CAMI NOC AR

L OS

RE

Y

NCAJADELOROGRANTR

D

AVENIDADEL S

UR

OFFRAM

P

SHENAN

DOAH

TRL

AVENIDACA

SADELO

RO

TANO WEST

WSANMA

TEORD

WZI

AR

D

AVENIDAAZU

L

EPALACEAVE

ENCANTADOR

D

RANCH

OVIEJO BLVD

BO T

U L

PH

R D

NSAINT

FRAN

CISDR

PACHECO

ST

FINDELSENDERO

LOS P

INOSR

D

GARCIAST

B A C A S T

SETO

NVILL

AGER

D

NA

AVANNUPO

ALTAVISTAST

NM599F

RONT

AGER

D

PASEO DE PER

ALTA

OSAGEA

VE

HICKOXS

T

CAMINOD

ELOSMONTOYAS

TWO

TRAILS

RD

EXIT2

78OFF

WCORDOVA RD

Z A F A R A N O D R

LLAN OST

SOUTHFORK

EXI

T27

8ON

AR

NM

599

EXIT

CAMINO LATIERRA

EXIT

282

ON

WALAMEDA ST

A

VENIDATORREON

NGUADALU

PES

T

CAMINOENCANTA

DO

SAINTFRA

NCIS

DR

EXIT 282OFF

CAMINOCA

BR

A

AVE

NIDADEAMISTAD

SILERRD

EXIT

276ON

SE

CONDST

ALAMEDA FR

ONTAGE RD

WFRONTAGER

D

VIAVETERANOS

AVENID

ADEL

MON

TEALTO

SGUADA

LUPEST

ONRAMP

RID

GETO

PRD

CAMINO

DELASCRUCITAS

ECORDOVARD

H E N R Y L Y N C H R D

EXIT284OFF

ARTISTRD

CAMINOFRA

NCISC

A

EXIT290O

FF

CALLE

NOPAL

EXIT282BOFF

EXIT

271ON

ESANMATE

O RD

GRIFFIN

ST

EXIT267ON

EWATERST

ACEQUIAMADRE

TIERRADETANO

VET

ERAN

SMEM

ORIALHWY

US84-2

85

ONRAM

P

EXIT

290

OFF

US84

-285

EXIT267 ON

STATE

RD

14

WZIAR

D

WALAMED

AST

CAMINO LOSABUELOS

US84-285

CAMINOC

ARLOSREY

EXIT

282ON

SILER

RD

EXIT28

4OFF

Community

0 1 2 30.5

Miles

LegendMajor Roadways

Minor Roadways

Rail Lines

City Boundary

Tesuque Pueblo

MPO Planning Area

Santa Fe County Boundary

Santa Fe River

Santa Fe County

Approved by the Santa Fe MPOTransportation Policy Board

February 12, 2009

Figure 1-1 Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Area


21/153


1.6 Public Participation Plan

The Public Participation Plan (PPP) guidespublic participation activities conducted bythe Santa Fe Metropolitan PlanningOrganization (the MPO). According toFederal law, a metropolitan planning

organization must be designated for eachurbanized area with a population of 50,000 ormore. The MPO serves as a forum for acontinuing, cooperative, and comprehensivetransportation planning process and itsTransportation Policy Board (the PolicyBoard) is the authority in approving howFederal transportation dollars are spent inthe region. The Santa Fe MPO adopted itsPPP in April 2007.

The process outlined in the Public

Participation Plan is the basis for thedevelopment of the twenty-five yearMetropolitan Transportation Plan and itsamendments. The process results in acomprehensive community involvement inplans and programs that consider alltransportation modes and supportsmetropolitan community development and

social goals. The community and agencyinvolvement process for the 2010-2035 MTPupdate provides an opportunity for SantaFes transportation stakeholders to provideinput into the transportation issues andimprovement opportunities, as well as toprovide comments on the draft MTP.

The process included a request sent tocommunity neighborhood and businessleaders and agency representatives toidentify transportation issues and potentialprojects for consideration in the MTP. After athorough project evaluation and financialassessment, the draft MTP was madeavailable for community review with a 30-daycomment period. Within this commentperiod, a series of community open houses

were held, along with a special open housefor stakeholder local, state and federalagencies, inviting attendees to present theircomments and questions on the draft MTP.Progress on the MTP and the final Plan waspresented at various steps of the way to theTransportation Policy Board prior to the TPBtaking action to adopt the MTP update.

1.7 Glossary of Terms

A list of acronyms and their definition is

contained in the Appendix.

Thepublic is invited toparticipate andprovide input

at all levels of transportation project development,

frominitialplanningthroughdesignandconstruction.


22/153


This page intentionally left blank.


23/153


2.0 Community Structure: Characteristics of the Santa Fe Region

While quantifying the linkage between land use and transportation may at times be a complexissue, describing the relationship is simple: Transportation and land development areinextricably linked. Where and how land use development occurs generates trips to and fromthose uses, the type of use and its intensity dictate how many trips are made and when, and

the type of transportation system available affects how those trips are made.

The On-Line Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia includes a table which showsthe factors that affect transportation demand, which is shown in Table 2-1:

Table 2-1Factors Affecting Transportation Demand3

Demographics Economics PricesTransportOptions

ServiceQuality

Land Use

Number ofpeople(residents,employees andvisitors).

Income

Age/lifecycle

Lifestyle

Preferences

Number ofJobs

Incomes

Businessactivity

Freighttransport

Tourist activity

Fuel pricesand taxes

Vehicle taxesand fees

Road tolls

Parking fees

Vehicleinsurance

Publictransport fares

Walking

Cycling

Publictransport

Ridesharing

Automobile

Taxi services

Telework

Delivery

services

Relative speedand delay

Reliability

Comfort

Safety andsecurity

Waitingconditions

User

Parking

conditions

Userinformation

Density

Mix

Walkability

Connectivity

Transit serviceproximity

Roadwaydesign

As this table notes, a communitys demographic, land use and economic structure is asignificant factor in transportation demand, as are the transportation system options andpolicies themselves. Therefore, it is important in developing an MTP that not only are totalpopulation and employment growth forecast numbers needed, but the demographic makeup ofthe population, where and how the growth occurs, what types of uses are planned, and where

employment centers (and type of employment) and their location are all important factors.The best tool available to the community to help understand the transportation and land useconnection is called a travel demand model. This computerized representation of land use,demographics, employment by type, geography, and the transportation system is used toestimate the transportation demand on the system, by geography and time of day, and helpsus understand where the future transportation congestion areas will be, and as well helps

3On-Line TDM Encyclopedia, Victoria Policy Institute, http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm132.htm.


24/153


assess potential types of projects to address these issues. 2010 is a Census year and with therelease of the updated population numbers the MPO will update the demographics in its TravelDemand Model and develop new forecast projection, including interim years. Travel forecastmodeling will be described in more detail in Chapter 4 of the MTP.

2.1 Demographics: Overall Makeup of the Region

Santa Fe is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southern tip of theRocky Mountain chain. Santa Fe is New Mexicos capital and located60 miles northeast of Albuquerque, the states largest city. The SantaFe MPO Planning Area includes all of the City of Santa Fe, a portionof Santa Fe County and all of Tesuque Pueblo, a sovereigngovernment.

According to the 2000 Census, the MPO Planning Area had apopulation of approximately 104,000. Based on estimates of existingpopulation by Santa Fe County, the current MPO area population(2010) is estimated to be approximately 120,900. Based on thecountys projections, the population will increase to 142,000 in the

MPO area by 2035, and almost 204,000 by build-out of the area.Table 2-2 indicates that while the MPO Planning Area represents lessthan 25% of Santa Fe Countys land area, it accounts for 80% of the countys population andat least 90% of the countys employment.

In addition to its full time residents, Santa Fe attracts 1 to 2 million visitors each year.Additionally, approximately 16% of the areas houses are classified as second homes;occupants will not show up in population statistics but they do generate trips when thesesecond homes are occupied.

Table 2-2Santa Fe MPO/Santa Fe County

Population and Employment, 2010 - 2035Population

20102035

Employment20102035 Land Area

MPO PlanningArea

120,900142,000

55,00064,000

427 sq.miles

Santa FeCounty

151,510176,612

61,00071,000

1,909 sq.miles

Source: UNMBBER; New Mexico Workforce Solutions; Santa Fe Trends, 2010; Santa Fe MPO TAZ Data.

TheCountyandMPO

regions population

is projected to

increase by 17

percent between

today and 2035,

while the number of

jobs is projected to

growby16percent.


25/153


Location of GrowthFigure 2-1 shows the location and concentration of future growth areas near the I25 corridor,in the MPO Planning Area. The City growth areas (in yellow on the map) include Las Soleras(1), Tierra Contenta (2), The Pavilion Business Park (3) and the Komis Tract (4). The Countygrowth areas (in orange on the map) include the Community College District (5) and the AirportDevelopment District (6). Growth Areas 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 will all contain a combination ofresidential and employment land uses. Area 3, the Pavilion Business Park, is exclusivelyemployment based and includes plans for a 100 room hotel. All of these areas shown willabsorb most of the growth in the MPO Planning Area over the next 25 years.

Figure 2-1. Primary Growth Areas in the MPO Planning Area

Lamy

PuebloTesuque

Galisteo

Cerrillos

La Cienega

Las Companas

Eldorado

CollegeSanta Fe

25

25

25

25

tu84

tu84

tu285

tu285

tu285

tu285

14

1441

599

599

599

I25SO

UTH

I25NO

RTH

US285

US84-285

S T A T

E R

D 1

4

AGUA

FRIA

ST

OLD

BUCKMANRD

STATERD

41

RODEO RD

VET

ERANSME

MORIALH

WY

PASE

O REAL

STAT

ER

D

475

CAMINOLOSABUELOS

TANORD

OLDLASVEGASHWY

RUFIN

AST

BISHOPSLO

DG

ERD

AIRPORTRD

RICHARDS

AVE

BON

ANZA CREEK RD

SFWATERSHED

SIRINGO RD

CAJA

D

E L

R IO RD

RABBITR D

CANYO

NRD

JAGUARD

R

HYD

E PA

RK

RD

AVENIDA VISTAGRANDE

S

SA

INT

FRANC

IS

DR

AVEN IDAELDORAD

O

OLDS

ANTAFE

TRL

GA

L I S T

E O

ST

OLDPECOSTR

AIL

YUCCAS

T

OLDSANTAFETRAIL

TESUQUEVILLAGERD

GOVERNORM

ILESRD

BUCKMA

N RD

LASCAMPANA

SDR

L O P E Z L N

SAINTMICHAELSDR

MUTT NELSONRD

CERRILL

OSRD

EZIARD

E ALAMEDAST

D O N

G A S P A R A V E

PASE

ODE

VISTA

S

PASEONOPAL

SMEADOWSRD

AVI

ATION

DR

CERRO

GORD

ORD

A R R

OYO

HONDORD

GONZALE

SRD

JEMEZRD

C A M I N O

C A R L O S R E Y

NCAJADELOROGRANTRD

AVEN

IDADELSUR

OFFR

AMP

SHENA

NDOAHTR

L

AVENIDACASADELORO

TANOWEST

WZIA

RD

ENCANTADORD

RANCHOV

IEJOBLVD

B O

TU

LP

H

R D

N S

AINTFR

ANC

ISDR

PAC

HECO

ST

FINDELSENDERO

LOSP

INOS

RD

GARCIAST

BACAST

SETO

NVILLA

GERD

NA

A VANNUPO

NM599FRO

NTA

GERD

PASEODEPERALTA

OSAGEAVE

HICKOXST

ZAFARANODR

SOUTH

FORK

EXIT

278

ON

CAMINOLATIERRA

EXIT

282

ON

W ALAM

EDAST

CAMINOEN

CANTADO

AVENIDA

DEAMISTAD

SILERRD

ALAMEDA

FRONTAGERD

WFRONTAGERD

VIAVETERANOS

SANDOVA

LST

ONRAM

P

N R I D G E T O P R D

HENRYL YNCHRD

EXIT284OFF

ARTISTRD

EXIT29

0OFF

EXIT

276OFF

EXIT

271

ON

SAWMILLRD

ESANMATEO

RD

ACEQUIAMADRE

US84-285

OFFRAMP

EXIT

278

ON

US84-285

WZIARD

SILERRD

Community

0 1 2 30.5

Miles

Legend

Major Roadways

Rail Lines

City Primary Growth Areas

County Primary Growth Areas

City of Santa Fe

Tesuque Pueblo

MPO Planning Area

Santa Fe River

Santa Fe County

12

3 4

5

6


26/153


2.2 Population Trends and Forecasts

The total population of the Santa Fe MPO Planning Area in 2010 is estimated to be 120,900. 4By 2035, an estimated 142,000 of the Countys estimated 176,612 residents will live in theMPO Planning Area. The University of New Mexicos Bureau of Business and EconomicResearch (UNMBBER) projects that the population growth rates experienced in the 1990sand 2000s will decrease to a moderate growth rate from 2010 through 2035; nevertheless, by

2035 the MPO area is still projected to add over 21,000 people and the County as a whole isexpected to add over 25,000, a growth of over 16 percent over current conditions.

Figure 2-2 illustrates the slowing of the growth rate expected in both Santa Fe County and theMPO Planning Area in the future compared to the high growth rates experienced in the 1980sand 1990s. Population growth from 1990 through 2035 indicates a slightly higher growth inSanta Fe County than within the MPO Planning Area.

If these projections are accurate, then it seems clear that the demographics of the area willaffect transportation demand, and transportation system planning, in the following ways:

aging of the population, the continued concentration of growth in the center of the MPO Planning Area, outward

from central Santa Fe, near the I-25 corridor growth occurring outside the region that travels to or through the region (especially in

freight traffic which is expected to double), and continued influx of visitors and second home part-time residents.

Although some infill development continues within the existing classified urbanized area(census designation based on population density) the majority of the future growth will occur tothe south and southwest of the current urbanized area. Growth in population and housingstock has been very aggressive over the last couple of decades, but the recent economicconditions have slowed that rate of growth considerably.

Figure 2-2Santa Fe County & MPO Planning Area

Population Growth, 1990-2035

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2035

Year

Population

Santa Fe County MPO Planning Area

Source: UNM-BBER; City of Santa Fe Long Range Planning Division.

4City of Santa Fe Long Range Planning Division.


27/153


Implications of an Aging Population

Figure 2-3 illustrates that by 2035, more than 1 in 5 residents in Santa Fe County will be aged65 or older. In real numbers, this means that the population aged 65 and older will more thandouble between 2010 and 2035, increasing from approximately 15,000 to 35,0005. There aretwo primary reasons why this age group will increase so dramatically during the next 25 years:the large population known as baby boomers (those born between 1945 and 1964) reaching

age 65 and older; and, the ability of that generation to live longer due to advances in medicineand greater knowledge of risks and benefits of certain lifestyle decisions.

Figure 2-3Santa Fe County

Percent of Population Age 65 and Older, 20102035

Source: UNMBBER

An aging population raises questions with regard to mobility and the potential need forincreased transit service, as well as land use decisions and development patterns that providenearby services. To maintain mobility for an aging population, a higher level of paratransit andtransit service will be needed, as will walkable community land use policies which encouragemixed use and Transit Oriented Development. While increased availability of buses and othertransit services will be important, the efficiency of transit service and its operational costs are

often a function of residential densities and their proximity to major transit routes.

The paradox of low density development is that it simultaneously requires a greater reliance onthe automobile, while discouraging any transit service due to greater distances traveled forfewer passengers. This identifies the need for greater densities and mixed use development inthe previously identified growth areas of both the city and county. It seems clear that land usepolicies of the city and county governments will need to be focused on creating clustered,

5Extrapolated from UNM-BBER population projections for age 65 and older.

10.2%

16.4%

21.6% 22.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

2010 2020 2030 2035

Year

PercentofPopulat

ion


28/153


higher density, mixed-use development in growth areas to make transit more efficient andthereby reduce the need for automobile use by an increasingly older population.

An aging population also has implications with regard to Complete Streets design and trafficoperations. Traffic signs will likely need to be replaced with those having larger font size, whichwill factor into maintenance costs in the future. Longer pedestrian crossing times will beneeded at traffic signal locations in areas with a high density of elderly population, due to

reduced mobility, which in turn may increase congestion and delay at these locations.Additionally, higher scale pedestrian crossings at unsignalized locations will need to replacethe traditional crosswalk treatment, again recognizing reduced mobility. A number of potentialtreatments are listed in the Transportation Toolbox section later in the MTP. These crossingupgrades are generally much more expensive than traditional crosswalk treatments, but alsohave a better safety record.

Average Household Size

Average household size in Santa Fe County is currently 2.426. This has been steadilydecreasing over time and is expected to continue to decrease between now and 2035,especially as the population over 65 increases. The paradox of declining average householdsize and low density development is that it simultaneously requires a greater reliance on theautomobile (many shared-ride trips are family-oriented), while discouraging any transit servicedue to greater distances traveled for fewer passengers. This identifies the need for greaterdensities and mixed use development in the previously identified growth areas of both the cityand county. It seems clear that land use policies of the city and county governments will needto be focused on creating clustered, higher density, mixed-use development in growth areas tomake transit more efficient and thereby reduce the need for automobile use by an increasinglyolder population.

Affordable Housing

Santa Fe County continues to experience most of its growth in the south and southwestsectors of the current urban area, and within the Community College District south of I-25.These growth sectors will continue to be stimulated through the build out of approvedsubdivisions and mixed use commercial development as well as through city and countyinitiatives to boost the local economy by providing and promoting affordable housing,educational opportunities, and jobs creation. In competition for residential growth, the housingmarket in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho offers a large inventory of lower-priced homes with aprice to value offering that is difficult for Santa Fe to match. Many previous residents as well asthose new to Santa Fe end up living in more affordable places while employed in Santa Fe. Ifprojected traffic patterns and volumes are realized, without improvements to the existingroadway infrastructure and to the availability of alternative modes, traffic congestion is

expected to increase especially for those using the three I-25 interchanges at Cerrillos, St.Francis Drive, and Old Pecos Trail that provide access to the City.

6United States Census Bureau, 2000 Census for New Mexico, http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/phc-1-

33.pdf.


29/153


2.3 Employment Characteristics and Growth

Santa Fes economy is based on government employment and tourism-related retail. TheHealth Care and the Construction industries are also among the top 5 industries inemployment in the Santa Fe area. Figure 2-4 shows the history of employment trends inSanta Fe County from 1990 through 2009, using non-farm, wage and salary employment data.Steady employment growth was experienced from 1990 through 2005. As of 2009,

employment actually declined for the first time in decades due to the national and globalrecession. Current non-farm wage and salary employment hovers near 61,000 in Santa FeCounty.

Figure 2-4Santa Fe County

Total Non-Farm Employment, 1990-2009

Source: New Mexico Department of Labor / Workforce Solutions

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

1990 1995 2000 2005 2009

Year

TotalEmployed


30/153


Figure 2-5 shows employment by major sector in Santa Fe County since 1990. Governmenthas provided the most jobs in Santa Fe County for decades. Since 1990, the county hasexperienced steady growth in government employment, which includes federal, state and localgovernment, increasing from nearly 13,000 jobs to approximately 17,000 jobs, a 30% increase.

The Educational/Health Services sector has experienced employment gains during therecession; The Lodging/Food Service and Retail industries have flattened, while the

Construction industry employment numbers have dropped in recent years.

Figure 2-5Santa Fe County Employment by Sector, 19902009

Source: New Mexico Department of Labor / Workforce Solutions (UNM-BBER Web Site).

0

2,500

5,000

7,500

10,000

12,500

15,000

17,500

1990 1995 2000 2005 2009

Year

NumberofEmployees

Government Lodging/Food Service Retail

Educational/Health Services Construction


31/153


Historically, Santa Fe and New Mexico have had lower unemployment rates than the nation asa whole. However, the current recession has increased unemployment rates nationwide andneither Santa Fe, nor New Mexico, has been spared. These high unemployment ratescombined with the economic downturn have resulted in declines in daily traffic volumescompared to the 2003 volumes listed in the 2005-2030 MTP. Figure 2-6 illustratesunemployment rates since 2000 and shows the rapid rise of unemployment in the nation, stateand county since 2007.

Figure 2-6Unemployment Rates 200020107

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

10.0%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Year

PercentUnem

ployed

United States New Mexico Santa Fe County

Source: US Department of Labor; New Mexico Department of Labor/Workforce Solutions

Employment Projections, 2010-2035

To assist with employment forecasting through 2035, a comparison or ratio was created toestimate the number of new non-farm wage and salary jobs that may be created in Santa FeCounty based on existing population and employment figures. Using a simple populationtoemployment ratio for Santa Fe County means that 151,000 residents are supported by 61,000

jobs (table 2-1), or approximately a 2.5 ratio of residents to jobs. This means that for every 25

new residents, 10 jobs can be expected to be added in Santa Fe County. The MPO PlanningAreas ratio is approximately 2.2 based on an estimated 2010 population of 120,900 and anestimated 55,000 non-farm, wage and salary jobs (Table 2-1).

Figure 2-3 indicates that the Santa Fe regions population base is aging, and the percentage ofthe population over 65 years of age continues to increase. As the population ages, a higherpercentage of the population base will reach retirement age, which typically would indicate that

7U.S. unemployment rate May 2010; New Mexico & Santa Fe County March, 2010


32/153


the population/employment ratio would increase which in turn would logically reduce theemployment growth forecast through 2035. However, there are a number of factors toconsider, which in essence results in the forecast residents-to-jobs ratio remaining basicallythe same through 2035 and indicating that the Year 2035 employment forecasts arereasonable:

The Social Security retirement age in 2010 increased from age 65 to age 67 for those

born in 1959 or later8, and will likely continue to increase over time as US (and NewMexico) life expectancy continues to increase. This would indicate that even though thepercentage of population aged 65 or older will increase over time, the populationreaching retirement agewill likely remain at a constant level through 2035.

As noted in the Affordable Housing section above, the percentage of Santa Fe Countyemployees who live outside of the region is expected to continue to moderately increaseover time, resulting in an overall increase in the number of out-of-county residents fillingin-county jobs.

Based on the population projections that Santa Fe County will add 25,000 residents during the

next 25 years and that the MPO Planning Area will add approximately 20,000 residents, wecan project that employment will increase by roughly 10,000 jobs county-wide by 2035, withapproximately 9,000 of those jobs locating within the current MPO Planning Area. Or, theincrease in employment will be by the same percentage as the increase in population16.5%for Santa Fe County through 2035, and 17.4 % for the MPO Planning Area.

2.4 Natural Environment and Land Development

The Santa Fe MPO Planning Area is characterized by mountainous terrain in the northeastwith land sloping to the southwest and contains a range of land elevations from 6,8007,200above sea level. Drainage areas (i.e. arroyos) flow out of the mountains from theeast/northeast toward the west/southwest. The Santa Fe River flows from the Sangre de

Cristo Mountains westerly through downtown Santa Fe, then turns southwesterly, where itflows into the Rio Grande beyond the MPO Planning Area. (In 2009, the City of Santa Feconstructed the Siler Road river crossing, the first newly-located arterial bridge to cross theSanta Fe River in over 50 years.)

As the land slopes to the southwest away from the mountains and foothills, it flattens out and ischaracterized by a gently rolling terrain with a system of major and minor arroyos. This allowsgreater land development potential to the south and southwest within the MPO Planning Area.As a result, existing land development densities are lower on the eastern and northern sides ofSanta Fe and increase to the southwest. Within the Santa Fe Urban Area (pop. 87,000), only25% of the resident population occupies the lands east of St. Francis Drive and north of the

Santa Fe River, while approximately 75% of the population lives west of St. Francis Drive andsouth of the river. This has obvious implications for the Urban Areas transportation system.And, future growth will be even more pronounced toward the southwest portions of the UrbanArea. For nearly 50 years, 80% of Santa Fes urban growth has been toward the southwest;an area that provides flatter land and allows for gravity-flow sewer.

8http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.


33/153


Outside the Urban Area, the land is also characterized by gently rolling terrain with arroyos tothe south and southwest toward the planned future growth areas. The Community CollegeDistrict located south of I-25, includes the Rancho Viejo development that is containedapproximately 1,200 housing units in 2010. Rancho Viejo is built in a series of clusteredvillages located on higher, flat land dotted with Pion and Juniper trees surrounded by largerdrainages and arroyos running through the area.

Growth and economic development also require water supply. The Santa Fe SustainableLand Development Plan (SLDP) recognizes that the region has a finite supply of water, unlessoutside sources can be found. Commensurate with growth, the SLDP is recommendingsustainable water solutions such as use of xeriscape (low water landscaping), self-containeddevelopments which recycle their wastewater, low impact development guidelines, and use oflow-flow toilets and other water-dependent uses.

2.5 Air Quality

The Santa Fe MPO Planning Area is in attainment for all Federally-regulated pollutantsreferred to as criteria pollutants, which are carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide(SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), coarse particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter(PM2.5) and lead (Pb). At this time there are no indications that Santa Fe will reach any of thethresholds for pollutants in the near future and therefore, is not in danger of becoming a nonattainment area. A non attainment designation would result in more stringent requirement onthe MPO. Regardless, of this attainment status the MPO will continue in its planning efforts tominimize pollution from transportation sources through reductions in congestion andencouragement of use of alternative forms of transportation.

At this time, no local or state standards or budget regarding greenhouse gas emissions havebeen established.

2.6 Cultural Environment

The Santa Fe area and the City of Santa Fe in particular, have a special place in the history ofEuropean settlement within the United States. Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the UnitedStates and one of the oldest European settlements in the U.S. Officially established in 1610,Spanish explorers founded the settlement while moving northward along the Rio Grande.

Santa Fes earliest road network was comprised of the Camino Real (or Royal Road) whichstarted in Mexico City, moving north and hugging the Rio Grande until it turned toward thebase of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where the road moved along the Santa Fe River(modern-day Agua Fria Road). Trails from Galisteo northward were also present early on. Astrade with the United States began, the famed Santa Fe Trail heading southeast out of SantaFe ultimately connected to Independence, Missouri.

New Mexico is known for its three cultures: Native American, Spanish (i.e. Hispanic or Latino)and Anglo. Santa Fe Countys population has the following composition9: Hispanic (Latino)49%, Anglo 45%, Native American 2.5%, others 3.5%. The Santa Fe Area is characterized byconsiderable variation in family and individual income and wealth. The area is home to verywealthy individuals, many who have come from other places and some who live in Santa Fe

9Census 2000; Summary File 1, Table P-8, Hispanic or L

mtp public review draft 08-31-10

Documents