After years of deadly crashes, East Central Avenue is finally getting safer
In Albuquerque, one of the city’s most dangerous roads is finally getting the attention it deserves. Following years of serious and fatal pedestrian crashes along East Central Avenue, city officials have launched a new project designed to make the corridor safer for everyone who walks, drives, or rides through it.
An experienced Albuquerque pedestrian accident lawyer knows how devastating these crashes can be for victims and families. Efforts like this project aim to prevent future tragedies and make city streets safer for everyone.
Protective fencing, lower speed limits, and brighter lighting are among the changes rolling out on Central Avenue this fall. For pedestrians and drivers alike, these updates mark a turning point for one of Albuquerque’s busiest and most hazardous stretches of road.
Redirecting Foot Traffic to Prevent Tragedy
The city’s Department of Municipal Development has begun installing protective fencing along the medians of Central Avenue between Pennsylvania, Wyoming, and Louisiana boulevards. The fencing is designed to funnel pedestrians toward intersections and designated crosswalks rather than leaving them to risk crossing six lanes of traffic mid-block.
Construction will take about eight weeks and temporarily reduce lane access, but the city says the short-term inconvenience will bring long-term safety gains. The goal is simple: prevent deadly mid-block crossings that have plagued East Central for years.
These improvements align with a broader traffic safety strategy that has proven effective in other major U.S. cities, using physical barriers and road design to shape safer driver and pedestrian behavior rather than relying solely on enforcement.
Lower Speeds and Better Visibility
The fencing project is part of a larger plan to redesign East Central Avenue from a fast-moving thoroughfare into a safer, more predictable roadway. The city is implementing several traffic-calming measures intended to protect pedestrians and reduce severe crashes.
The changes include:
- Lowering the speed limit to 35 mph. Slower speeds dramatically improve survival rates in pedestrian collisions.
- Reducing Central Avenue from six lanes to four. This restriping will make room for new business access lanes, transit lanes, and right-turn-only lanes, reducing lane changes and side-impact collisions.
- Adding nearly 200 solar-powered street lights. Improved nighttime lighting will help drivers spot pedestrians sooner and prevent crashes after dark.
- Installing two new HAWK pedestrian signals at Britt and Dorothy streets. These pedestrian-activated beacons allow people to stop traffic when crossing safely.
- Updating signal timing to give pedestrians a few extra seconds to enter the crosswalk before vehicle traffic begins moving.
Each of these improvements targets a known risk factor for pedestrian accidents: speed, visibility, and confusion. Together, they represent one of Albuquerque’s most ambitious safety projects to date.
A Corridor Long Known for Danger
East Central Avenue, once part of historic Route 66, has been a focal point for pedestrian crashes for years. Heavy traffic, wide lanes, and limited safe crossings have made it especially dangerous for pedestrians.
These latest changes are part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through smarter design, stronger enforcement, and shared accountability. For Central Avenue, that means rethinking how vehicles, pedestrians, and transit interact in the same space.
The addition of fencing and lane reductions will narrow driver sightlines and naturally slow traffic, an approach proven to reduce high-speed collisions without the need for constant police presence.
What Safer Streets Mean for Victims and Families
Every roadway safety project in Albuquerque has roots in tragedy. Each new traffic signal, each redesigned crosswalk, reflects the lives lost to negligence and speed. For families affected by pedestrian accidents, these upgrades come too late, but they also serve as reminders that change is possible.
Even with better infrastructure, negligent drivers remain the greatest threat to pedestrians. Speeding, distraction, and failure to yield continue to cause catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths across New Mexico. Victims often face medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma that no city improvement can undo.
That’s where legal action can make a difference. A pedestrian accident claim can help hold careless drivers accountable while providing victims and families with the financial support they need to rebuild their lives.
Szantho Law Firm Stands Up for Injured Pedestrians in New Mexico
When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, insurance companies are often quick to shift blame. They may argue the pedestrian wasn’t visible, didn’t cross at a signal, or should have been more careful. But under New Mexico law, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and yield to pedestrians when required.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can investigate whether speeding, distraction, or poor roadway maintenance contributed to the crash and demand full compensation for victims. This kind of persistence is what sets Szantho Law Firm apart.
Attorney Andras Szantho is a former prosecutor who has built his career on holding negligent drivers accountable. He is known for aggressively fighting for victims of serious car and pedestrian accidents and for never backing down when insurance companies try to minimize claims.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident on Central Avenue or anywhere in New Mexico, contact Szantho Law Firm today. A free consultation can help you understand your rights and how to protect your claim before critical legal deadlines pass.
"I was amazed at how quickly he got to work and, best of all, he was able to secure compensation for me that I didn't even know I was entitled to! His dedication, expertise, and attention to detail truly made a difference. If you're looking for an attorney who goes above and beyond, I highly recommend Szantho Law Firm." - Melodie W., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐