TRANSPORTATION
A crew pours concrete for the I-40/Paseo del Volcan project west of Albuquerque.
Overview of Transportation Projects Funded by the Recovery Act
New Mexico is expected to receive more than $329 million from the Recovery Act to pay for transportation projects all over the state.
Everything from airport improvements to public transportation to major highway construction is covered by this investment in New Mexico's infrastructure.
Currently there are 22 major highway projects, 70 local projects, 29 rural transit projects and three airport renovations slated for New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation has 22 highway projects planned throughout the state. With these projects, New Mexico is moving quickly to draw down these critical highway funds, and put them to work to stimulate the economy today. Examples of projects include:
Highway Projects
|
Pavement Preservation Projects
|
TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
Reconstruction and Realignment of New Mexico 128
Funding Recipient: New Mexico Department of Transportation
Award: $8 million in Recovery Act funds (Total project cost is $18.4
million)
Location: Lea County
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation
On May 15, 2009, James Hamilton Construction began rebuilding roughly 14 miles of highway in Lea County near the Texas border in eastern New Mexico. The project also includes building drainage structures, fence and erosion control work.
The 220 day project is expected to significantly improve a poor driving surface for the commercial trucks and oil field service vehicles that travel this road.
Statewide, transportation projects are expected to see a $329 million investment via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Examples include major highway reconstruction, local road improvements, expansion of public transportation and airport improvements. Get more information about Recovery Act transportation funds.
Source: New Mexico Department of Transportation
RECOVERY DOLLARS AT WORK
U.S. 84/285 from Pojoaque to Española, MP 184-186
ARROYO SECO, NM – After spending nearly two decades in road construction, David Marler of Albuquerque says he's noticed a major boost in his field since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in the spring of 2009.
“Things had really slowed down and the stimulus has helped a great deal,” said Marler.
In 2009, Marler, a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for Mountain States Constructors, was working on the Recovery Act funded job near Española that includes reconstructing the highway and new construction of frontage roads from Arroyo Seco to La Puebla.
“Everyone knows jobs are hard to come by nowadays,” said Mountain States Constructors Superintendent Bruce Bogard. All of the Mountain States employees working this job are from New Mexico, Bogard said.
In the fall of 2009, about 50 New Mexicans were employed on the job including workers from Mountain States Constructors and several sub-contractors.
Marler, who left the construction business for a few years to work as a motorcycle mechanic, said he eventually went back to road construction because he felt it was more stable.
“People will always need roads,” said Marler. “Working as a mechanic, you're really dependent upon the economy. When people don't have money, work slows down.”
Marler began work in June 2009 on this job, which is expected to last about a year and a half.
