WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today reported that the final version of a key spending bill contains millions of dollars to address transportation and community needs in New Mexico. The bill is expected to pass the Senate as soon as this weekend, and be sent to the president for signature.
"Improving our roads, highways and public transportation are essential to building a strong economy in New Mexico," Bingaman said. "This spending bill invests millions of dollars in transportation projects across the state."
"This legislation contains more than $11.6 million for a wide range of important projects - including funding for highway improvements, expanded access to public transportation, and new community and outdoors spaces - all of which will be a boon to our economy, increase our quality of life and create good jobs for hardworking New Mexicans," Udall said. "I am proud that we won support for these important initiatives."
The bill contains the following for New Mexico:
$974,000 - Albuquerque Regional East-West Trail and Bikeway : Funding would be used for a project to provide a continuous east-west trail and bikeway facility extending from Tramway Boulevard near the base of the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande Bosque.
$974,000 - Cannon Air Force Base : Funding would be used to improve alternative routes and access to Cannon Air Force Base in response to the base's request to close County Road R on the west side of the base due to growing concern about safety and security.
$987,000 - Improvements to San Jose Blvd in Carlsbad: Funding will be used for the reconstruction of 2.4 miles of San Jose Boulevard from Diaz Street south to National Parks Highway. The project will include the installation of a center turning lane and a bike lane, concrete curb and gutter and sidewalks, reconstruction of major intersections, street lighting and storm drainage improvements.
$900,000 - Hobbs Transit Intermodal Facility: Funding would be used to acquire a site and build/develop a new city transit facility, which will include bus maintenance and administrative areas, driver areas and break room, counting room, and office and storage areas. The facility will include several covered bus storage bays and outside parking spaces for 13 vehicles. The site will include necessary paved entry way and exiting lanes of minimum width of 50' pavement and will be fenced with security fence.
$1.95 million - State of New Mexico Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities: Funding will be used to improve public transit services to customers, including: construction and improvements to park and ride services, replacement/expansion of transit vehicles for rural transit providers, increased access to transportation opportunities for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.
$487,000 - Community Area Resource Enterprise (CARE66) in Gallup: Funding would be used for the development of up to 60 units of affordable housing.
$399,340 - Luna County Community Recreation Facility: Funding would be used for the renovation of the old Pepsi building to house dedicated youth activities, practice space, and community meeting rooms.
$389,600 - Navajo Technical College in Crownpoint: Funding would be used for construction of a regional health center located on the campus of the Navajo Technical College.
$292,200 - Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Rancho de Taos: Funding would be used for preconstruction costs of a youth facility.
$584,400 - Town of Silver City: Funding would be used for the construction of Vistas de Plata, a 56-unit affordable housing unit.
$800,000 - Los Alamos County: Funding will be used to rehabilitation the runway at Los Alamos County Airport.
$500,000 - Navajo Nation: Funding will be used to upgrade US 491 to four-lanes.
$500,000 - City of Clovis: Funding will be used to replace the Hull Street Overpass.
$485,000 - City of Jal: Funding will be used for the renovation of the old junior high school to serve economic development purposes.
$170,000 - City of Santa Rosa: For the construction of the Illfeld Warehouse business incubator.
$145,000 - Valencia County: Funding will be used to make upgrades and training releated to the county's IT program.
$275,000 - City of Albuquerque: Funding will be used to replace a general aviation aircraft parking ramp at Albuquerque International Sunport.
$250,000 - Town of Estancia: Funding will be used for Main Street improvements.
$870,000 - Valencia County : Funding will be used to repair, improve and extend the Manzano Expressway, including access to a new high school.
$100,000 - City of Las Cruces: Funding will be used for the Las Cruces Airport - Terminal Air Traffic Facilities.
