New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Dedicates First Transportation Projects Funded by Recovery Act

US 84/285 improvements will create 180 high-wage jobs, boost local economy, and increase safety

May 12, 2009 -- ESPANOLA – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today led a group of state and local officials in dedicating two transportation projects near Espanola along U.S. 84/285. These projects are the first of nine in New Mexico approved for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Because of New Mexico’s ongoing comprehensive transportation planning process the state was second in the nation to initiate projects being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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“New Mexico was one of only a few states in the country with pre-selected, shovel-ready projects, giving us a great advantage over many larger states,” said Governor Richardson. “We are following a very aggressive schedule to make sure we use every dollar available for road projects, and we are prepared to apply for additional funding if and when it becomes available.

More projects are in the works, not just on state highways, but on roads and transit systems in rural communities across New Mexico. Local roads will get much-needed makeovers, bus systems will be improved and airports will be renovated."

Overall, transportation projects funded by the recovery act are expected to create approximately 15-hundred high-wage jobs in New Mexico.

“As a major arterial for Northern New Mexicans, it is vital that the work here along U.S. 84/285 be completed,” said Transportation Secretary Gary Girón. “The realignment and reconstruction of this highway will serve this growing population by increasing the traffic flow as well as improving the safety of this roadway."

In the upcoming months the state will begin work on the following projects: • U.S. 491 from Tohatchi south to Shiprock; adding two additional lanes from mileposts 59-67; estimated cost $31 million

• U.S. 64/87 from Raton to Clayton, adding two additional lanes from mileposts 378-390; estimated cost $30 million

• I-10 from Las Cruces to Texas State Line; adding two additional lanes for a six-lane highway from mileposts 144-164; estimated cost $50 million ($10 million stimulus funds, $40 million GRIP funds)

• U.S. 62/180, from the Texas state line to Carlsbad (mile marker 16.25 to 26.25); constructing new lanes; estimated cost $16.6 million

• N.M. 128, the junction of N.M. 31 east through Jal to the Texas state line (mile marker 24.7 to 38.81); roadway rehabilitation and realignment; estimated cost $15.6 million

• U.S. 491, the southern half of the corridor from Tohatchi to Shiprock (mile marker 15.6 to 29.5); roadway rehabilitation; estimated cost $8.9 million

• I-40, Paseo del Volcan/West Central Interchange; reconstruction of the interchange and I- 40; estimated cost $37 million

All of these projects were part of GRIP I, and were passed and approved with the Legislature.

“Governor Richardson’s Investment Partnership has been a continuous source of jobs and economic development throughout New Mexico since it was passed in 2003,” said State Transportation Commission Chairman Johnny Cope. “With the added stimulus funding, we can continue to create jobs and provide some economic stability to the state of New Mexico."

The state will also receive approximately $15 million for improvements to airports in Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Santa Fe; about $12 million for 80 statewide transit projects; and approximately $69 million for nearly 70 local road projects.

Transportation projects are the first and most visible signs that stimulus funds are beginning to flow into New Mexico. However, there are many more ways that the state will benefit, and in some cases, is already benefitting from the recovery act:

• New Mexico was first state in the nation to allocate funding to local governments for community development block grants. These funds are used for badly needed water, wastewater, and other infrastructure projects, mainly in rural communities;

• The state has submitted the paperwork for funding for projects and personnel for law enforcement, human services, health, and a number of other initiatives; and

• The New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment is in the midst of an extensive outreach program to help local communities around New Mexico identify and access millions of dollars that are available through competitive grants under the recovery act.

“Initially, estimates were that New Mexico would receive approximately $1.8 billion dollars in direct federal stimulus funding. Now we estimate that number is about $2.8 billion dollars. That doesn’t include anything we may receive from competitive grants,” added Governor Richardson.

Source: New Mexico Governor