WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is pleased that communities across the state will share $849,323 in scenic byway grants from the Federal Highway Administration.

“Our state’s Scenic Byways promote tourism and are important to the economic development of rural communities,” Bingaman said.  “I am pleased these New Mexico projects have been awarded funding.”

Earlier this year Bingaman wrote to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support for this grant funding. 

The following New Mexico Scenic Byways Projects were awarded grants:

• $202,100 – Phase I Construction of a Pedestrian and Bicycle Trail Along the Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway in Ruidoso.

• $162,400 – New signs and interpretation along the Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway north of Silver City.

• $152,499 – Interpretive Kiosks and Wayside Exhibits for the Santa Fe National Scenic Byway.  Kiosks will be located in the communities of Clayton, Round Mound, Chico, Watrous, Las Vegas, Kozlowski’s station near Pecos, and on the Santa Fe Plaza.

• $77,000 – Public restroom and information facilities in the Village of Mosquero to benefit La Frontera del Llano Byway travelers. 

• $62,400 – Tourist and Interpretive Information Center in the Ilfeld Warehouse along the Route 66 National Scenic Byway in Santa Rosa.

• $60,800 – Marketing and Interpretive Plan to highlight the Trail of the Ancients in the Four Corners region.

• $52,500 – Interpretive Information Enhancements for the Route 66 National Scenic Byway near Tucumcari.

• $45,200 – Prepare a new guidebook for New Mexico’s 26 Scenic Byways.

• $34,424 – Billy the Kid Trail National Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan Revision and Implementation.

On a separate note, Bingaman has written to the Federal Highway Administration in support of a nomination to designating The Enchanted Circle in Northern New Mexico a National Scenic Byway.  The circle connects Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagles Nest and Angel Fire and includes sights such as, historic Taos Pueblo, the Rio Grande Gorge, the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel and New Mexico’s highest mountain, Wheeler Peak.