Proposed Plan for Silver Heights-Hudson Intersection Raises Concerns

Officials debate changes to traffic signal that would cut off access to Juniper Street

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The New Mexico Department of Transportation is proposing changes to the intersection of Hudson Street and Silver Heights Boulevard in Silver City, including altering the traffic signal to prevent drivers on Hudson Street from continuing straight onto Juniper Street. This has raised concerns from the local fire department about emergency response times, though officials say the overall goal is to improve safety and traffic flow at the intersection.

Why it matters

The intersection is a key access point for the Juniper Street neighborhood, and changes to it could impact emergency services and resident access. However, the state believes the current design creates safety issues that need to be addressed.

The details

One of the proposed ideas for the project at the intersection of N.M. 90 and U.S. 180 East would change the traffic signal to prevent drivers traveling up Hudson Street from going straight ahead onto Juniper Street. Officials from the Silver City Fire Department expressed concerns about responding to incidents on Juniper Street, but said they believe the changes could ultimately improve response times by reducing congestion at the intersection. The state is also considering keeping the traffic light in its current configuration or realigning the intersection.

  • The stakeholder meeting was held on Thursday, February 10, 2026.
  • A public meeting is scheduled for February 19, 2026 from 6-8 PM to gather community feedback.

The players

Ami Evans

The Department of Transportation's District 1 public information officer.

Aaron Seavers

The assistant fire chief who attended the meeting on behalf of the Silver City Fire Department.

Simon Wheaton-Smith

The mayor of Silver City.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing is set in stone yet. That's why we're having these meetings — to see what would benefit and work for everyone.”

— Ami Evans, Department of Transportation's District 1 public information officer (scdailypress.com)

“But if we can make the intersection safer, that's a priority. Our response times to that neighborhood are still well within the four-minute standard.”

— Aaron Seavers, Assistant Fire Chief (scdailypress.com)

“I fully understand the people on Juniper and their concerns. Nothing's going to be perfect, but I also understand the concerns from those who are regularly part of the major traffic flow.”

— Simon Wheaton-Smith, Silver City Mayor (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The state will hold a public meeting on February 19, 2026 to gather community feedback on the proposed intersection changes before finalizing the plans.

The takeaway

This intersection project highlights the challenge of balancing the needs of local residents with the broader goal of improving traffic safety and flow. While the proposed changes may inconvenience some, officials believe they can ultimately enhance emergency response and reduce accidents at this busy intersection.