Domenici requests funds for cheese plant roadway

U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici will request federal funding to improve the roadway infrastructure in Curry County to serve the new Southwest Cheese Plant, he said in a news release Tuesday.

Domenici, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, said he would submit a $2.375 million request to the Transportation, Treasury and General Government Approp-riations Subcommittee crafting the FY2005 spending bill for the Department of Transportation.

“Now that we have broken ground on one of the largest cheese production facilities in the entire nation, we need to improve the roadway infrastructure in Curry County to allow better access for the trucks that will distribute the cheese,” Domenici said.

The funds, as requested, would construct a “highway quality” roadway from Highway 70 to the plant, and would provide for the addition of acceleration lanes on Highway 70 itself.

“The construction of this cheese plant in Clovis will solidify New Mexico’s position as one of the top dairy states in the union,” Domenici said. “It is vital that in addition to having a first-class facility, the roads surrounding the plant are well-constructed and safe for trucks and those who work at the plant.”