A new pedestrian crossing signal will soon be operational on University Avenue, between Locust Street and Triviz Drive. The speed limit on that stretch of road, east toward Telshor Boulevard, will be reduced from 40 to 35 miles per hour.
The changes are intended to help ensure safety along that portion of east University Avenue.
The pedestrian crossing signal – the second on University Avenue and fourth in Las Cruces behind similar signals on El Paseo Road and Roadrunner Parkway – is intended to be used by pedestrians crossing the busy road. Motorists should come to a complete stop when signal lights are red or flashing red. The solid red light means vehicles cannot proceed. The flashing red means vehicles must stop for pedestrians before proceeding.
The violation of the solid red light is a $162 penalty assessment while a citation for passing a flashing red light carries a mandatory court appearance.
The new pedestrian crossing signal is on University Avenue between the NMSU campus and the Pan Am Plaza at 1719 E. University Ave. The second pedestrian crossing signal, installed more than a year ago, is on University Avenue near the Hagerty Road intersection. Pedestrian crossing signals are also on El Paseo Road, near Las Cruces High School, and on Roadrunner Parkway near Veterans Memorial Park.
Pedestrians intending to cross the roadways in those areas are asked to use the lighted crossing signals but refrain from entering the roadway until traffic has come to a complete stop.