New Mexico getting $172 million in federal infrastructure money

By Nicole Maxwell

The New Mexico delegation announced nearly $172.3 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation towards infrastructure and connectivity projects.

These projects include rail, pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist safety in several New Mexico communities.

“From safer roads in Santa Fe to enhanced transit for the Pueblo of Taos and Mescalero Apache Tribe, these projects are about improving safety, connectivity, and opportunity for everyone. These over $172 million will transform road and rail safety for our comunidades,” U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández said in a press release. “Thanks to the Biden/Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re building a stronger, more equitable future for New Mexico, one that supports jobs, reduces costs, and ensures our transportation systems work for all.”

Funding for these projects comes from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which guarantees funding for infrastructure programs across the country. 

Projects receiving funding include:

• The City of Las Cruces will receive $61.8 million from the Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Award for the Mesa Grande Drive Extension Project.  
• The New Mexico Department of Transportation will receive $44.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for the Allison Road Grade Separated Crossing Project.
•  The New Mexico Department of Transportation will receive $36.1 million from the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Awards for the Improving Safety and Economic Strength in New Mexico’s Energy Production Basin project.  
• The Rio Metro Regional Transit District will receive $22.4 million from the RAISE Grant Awards for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express Operations and Maintenance Facility project. 
• McKinley County will receive $3.3 million from the Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for the McKinley County-BNSF Rail Crossing Elimination Project. 
• The City of Gallup will receive $2 million from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Award for the City of Gallup 2nd and 3rd Street Crossings Community Planning Project.   
• The City of Clovis will receive $1 million dollars from the Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for the Clovis, New Mexico Corridor Improvement Project.
• The Mescalero Apache Tribe will receive $480,913 from the Tribal Transit Program for a snowplow and salt spreader to ensure safe transit service in the winter months.
• The Pueblo of Taos will receive $158,448 from the Tribal Transit Program for capital improvements to two bus stops in Taos Pueblo.