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| Wilson Announces $25 Million for Albuquerque Area Projects in Highway Bill |
July 28, 2005 |
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| Six-Year Highway Bill Authorizes Funds for Key Projects
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced the conference agreement on the Highway Bill authorizes $25 million in federal funds to improve New Mexico’s transportation infrastructure.
The highway bill conference agreement will be rapidly considered by both the House and Senate this week before being sent to President Bush to be signed into law.
“It’s been a long road for this bill, but we now have important funding in place for New Mexico,” Wilson said. “These projects will create jobs and improve transportation infrastructure that is vital to our state’s growth.”
The $286.5 billion six-year highway bill includes $25 million requested by Wilson for four key transportation efforts in central New Mexico. The Transportation Equity Act (H.R. 3), which reauthorizes federal highway spending through fiscal year 2009, passed overwhelmingly by a 417-9 vote on March 10.
Wilson worked for specific funding for upgrades for Albuquerque area projects that will benefit traffic flow and local and state economies: $15.6 million for Coors/I-40, $5.6 million for the Mesa del Sol interchange, $2.8 million for I-25/Tramway and $1 million for planning purposes along the proposed Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail for the Albuquerque to Santa Fe corridor. The money, through the Middle Rio Grande Coalition of Governments, would fund the study of the Albuquerque to Santa Fe route alternatives.
Funding requested by Rep. Wilson for Albuquerque Area projects:
Coors/I-40, $15.6 million
Mesa del Sol, $5.6 million
Tramway/I-25, $2.8 million
Albuquerque to Santa Fe corridor study, $1 million (Belen to Santa Fe commuter rail route)
Total: $25 Million
In an important step for New Mexico’s commuter rail effort, the Highway Bill authorizes unspecified future funding for the project. Planners envision commuter rail service linking Belen to Santa Fe and including downtown Albuquerque and the Sunport.
“New Mexico will need to draw on federal resources for a project of this size,” Wilson said. “Federal funding can be a lengthy process and there are many competing priorities in Washington, so this is an important starting point.”
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