CARLSBAD,
Mar 24, 2004 -
A local official said Wednesday that the state may have enough money to widen U.S. Highway 62-180 to four lanes if a $10 million appropriation passes the House.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday unanimously passed a $275 billion highway bill that includes funding for U.S. 62-180. Rep. Steve Pearce,
R-N.M., who represents southern New Mexico, is a member of the committee.
“What we’re excited about from a local perspective is we have the attention of a hands-on congressman who believes in southeast New Mexico,” said Jay Jenkins, chairman of the Carlsbad Highway Committee, an arm of the city
government. “If this funding doesn’t happen, we’ve got other things working. We’ve been proactive in securing other funding.”
The bill also includes $6 million to construct N.M. Highway 128 from N.M. Highway 31 to the Texas state line and $7 million to construct the N.M. 524 south truck bypass in Carlsbad, according to Pearce’s office.
Pearce states in a release that he expects the entire House to approve the bill. The bill will be considered next week, he states.
The widening of U.S. 62-180 has been a focus of local officials for years. They say a four-lane highway will promote local economic development and give visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park a good impression of New Mexico.
Jenkins said the $10 million would be in addition to $32 million from Gov. Richardson’s Investment Partnership and $8.3 million in other state money designated for the U.S. 62-180 project.
“Pearce realizes this is a top priority for Carlsbad and Hobbs as well,” Jenkins said.
