Governor Bill Richardson, NMORR announce $16 million in additional local road and transit construction projects

SANTA FE- Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment today announced the approval of an additional $16.1 million worth of local road and transit construction projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Several of the projects are in Curry and Roosevelt County and include the Hull Street Bridge in Clovis.

“I know how important replacing the Hull Street Bridge is to the Clovis community and I am pleased to announce that we have secured the funds to get it done,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “It and the other projects I am announcing today are part of our aggressive efforts to move federal stimulus money into construction projects as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to put New Mexicans to work and address critical infrastructure needs.”

In addition to the $831,439 in federal stimulus funds for the Hull Street Overpass, Governor Richardson announced today that the New Mexico State Transportation Commission approved $5.8 million in federal State Transportation Improvement Program funds to complete the funding for this project, which is estimated to cost about $6.5 million. The bridge was closed in July 2008 due to safety concerns.

“The Transportation Commission understands how important it is to repair this bridge that runs through the heart of Clovis. This will not only help the local residents and business, but those passing through as well,” State Transportation Commission Chairman Johnny Cope said.

“I would like to commend Governor Richardson and the State Transportation Commission for approving the funds for this critical needs project, Transportation Secretary Gary Giron said. “The reconstruction of this bridge will restore interstate traffic and enhance the state’s economy.”

In total, Governor Richardson approved 14 new stimulus funded local road and transit projects today in Curry, Roosevelt, Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Luna, Eddy, Lea, Otero, Sandoval and Valencia counties. Since the beginning of the year, Governor Richardson and NMORR have announced nearly $280 million worth of state and local road projects, transit and aviation projects across New Mexico. This transportation stimulus package is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs.

The 14 new approved projects include:

• Hull Street Bridge in Clovis-Replacement bridge; estimated cost $831,439

(DOT has also identified approximately $5.8 million in federal funds to complete this project)

• NM 209 in Curry County- Repave and rehabilitate 2 miles of roadway surface; estimated cost $831,489

• U.S. 60/70/84 from Texico to the State Line, Enhancements, pedestrian facilities; estimated cost $249,747