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2007 Update
Road Set to Open
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/jun/19/paseo-opening-brings-closure-debate-over-extended-/
7/25/2006 Update
NEW MEXICO- Road project presses through petroglyph park
Source: KRQE News 13
ALBUQUERQUE — Drivers on Albuquerque’s West Side can see future relief from traffic congestion: the Paseo del Norte extension is halfway done. The scenery near Paseo del Norte and Golf Course NW changes everyday. New traffic lights are going up, and soon drivers will no longer have to turn at Golf Course. They’ll be able to go straight on Paseo.
There was a legal battle over moving the petroglyphs and extending Paseo del Norte through the Petroglyph National Monument. Although the city of Albuquerque won the battle, several groups including the Sierra Club have filed an appeal. It’s expected to take up to two years before the state appeals court hears the case.
Urgent Letters Needed before November 2004 to prevent Petroglyph National Monument Roads
Sacred Sites International, since 1990, has joined with various grassroots organizations to fight against the Paseo del Norte and Unser freeway-type roads through the sacred landscape and petroglyphs at Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A final victory seemed won in October 2003, when the citizens of Albuquerque overwhelmingly defeated a Street Bonds measure that would have funded the roads. Subsequently, developers and Albuquerque officials took the issue straight to the governor’s office asking for funding. The Governor is still considering the proposal.
Please write before November 2, to
Office of the Governor
State Capitol, Rm. 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501
asking him to not fund the Paseo del Norte or Unser Road extensions through Petroglyph National Monument. Local Indians consider the area sacred and use it for sacred ceremonies. The roads would interfere with their right to practice religion and they would be forced to abandon time-honored sacred traditions and places.
Albuquerque Mayor and local developers are trying again, November 2, 2004, to pass another Street Bonds Act to fund the roads. You can help by sending donations to the SAGE Council, the native coalition who was instrumental in winning against last years Bond Measure
Update of Petroglyph National Monument, February 1999
Early in February, the Albuquerque City Council (with the support of Mayor Baca who campaigned against Petroglyph roads) moved to amend a transportation tax to make it available for funding the 4-lane Unser Road extension through Petroglyph National Monument. The wording on the ordinance and ballot was changed so that the tax can not be used for roads that are not in “the existing portions of the City. We can thank Ike Eastvold and The Friends of the Albuquerque Petroglyphs for this change.
This apparent victory does not mean that Petroglyph National Monument is safe from roads. There are numerous other funds that could be used for building roads through the Monument. Other amendments can be introduced and there are State and Federal moneys that can be accessed as well.
Please continue to send letters to the Albuquerque City Council protesting the building of roads in Petroglyph National Monument.
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