Udall: Passage of Highway Funding Bill Supports New Mexico Jobs, but Long-term Fix Needed

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall joined the Senate in voting 81-13 to pass the Highway and Transportation and Funding Act of 2014, which supports thousands of construction jobs in New Mexico, and prevents an immediate cut to an estimated $350 million in funding for construction projects on roads, bridges and transit systems across the state. The bill guarantees funding to continue work on these important improvement and maintenance projects is available through May 31, 2015. Udall issued the following statement after the bill's passage:

"Without this fix, approximately $350 million in construction projects for New Mexico was at immediate risk. The Highway Trust Fund is crucial to maintaining New Mexico's roads and transportation infrastructure, and sustaining the thousands of public and private jobs that depend on these construction projects.

"While I'm relieved that we were able to pass this much-needed fix and support our construction industry, it's vital that Congress work together to find a long-term solution ensure the Highway Trust Fund doesn't continue to lurch from crisis to crisis. Building our infrastructure is one of the best investments we can make in our long-term economic growth. New Mexico can't afford an interruption in our transportation infrastructure, and I will continue to push for a long-term funding solution until our work is complete."