New sidewalks and bike lanes along St. Francis Drive and new bridges over Interstate 25 or its frontage roads are among possible outcomes of research on major roadways in the Santa Fe area.

Two private engineering firms on contract with the state Department of Transportation are midway through a pair of "corridor studies." They are seeking public input on possible improvements for I-25 from Old Pecos Trail to N.M. 599 and for the length of St. Francis Drive through the city.

The I-25 study is expected to produce information that area planners have long sought on how a possible interchange at Richards Avenue would affect access for the developing Community College District south of the city.

How the addition of an interstate entrance and exit there could affect road-system connectivity and traffic congestion are among elements being evaluated by the CH2MHill firm, said the study's project manager, Ross Lujan.

Area residents and state officials also are concerned about safety and the need for ways that pedestrians and bicycles can cross the interstate, Lujan said.

The study will provide a detailed look at adding frontage roads, widening the interstate to six lanes, adding bridge crossings at Yucca, Beckner and/or Camino Carlos Rey and making changes to existing interchanges.

A public meeting on those options is planned for 5 p.m. May 5 at Santa Fe Community College, Room 223, and a draft of the firm's report will be delivered to the state in early June, Lujan said.

As for St. Francis Drive, which is a section of U.S. 84/285, the state-maintained roadway has a high degree of connection with city residential streets and traffic signals. Miles of the north-south route through the city are fronted by commercial property, with setbacks that vary in width. That means engineers with Bohannan-Huston have a different set of options to consider, project manager Albert Thomas explained to city and county transportation planners Wednesday.

A review of the timing of city traffic lights on St. Francis showed controls are "actually working pretty well" but identified three intersections that perform below standards during certain peak periods — Zia, Cerrillos and Cordova roads, Thomas said. A new timing evaluation that will consider the effect of the Rail Runner trains is planned soon, he said.

While area residents have already advocated for sidewalks, bike lines and "improved livability" on as much of the road as possible, Thomas said, he has heard little support for adding additional vehicle lanes. The study will also evaluate how St. Michael's Drive merges with the road, as well as other intersection improvements. The next public meeting is planned for July, but no date or time has been set.

The state hired the firms in 2006 to begin the work and expects to pay about $1.2 million for the research.

To make a comment about the corridor studies or to get more information, contact David Quintana at 827-1635 or david.quintana@state.nm.us.

Contact Julie Ann Grimm at 986-3017 or jgrimm@sfnewmexican.com.