Several New Highway Projects on the Horizon

NMDOT’s District Three gears up for eight projects totalling $120 million in the coming months.

Busy Construction Year for NMDOT District Three

The NMDOT District Three Office comprised of Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia Counties, is gearing up for a busy construction season. Eight projects totaling over $120 million dollars are scheduled to be constructed this year.

I-40 from 98th St. to the West Central Interchange is the first of these projects and it began in January. The $16.7 million GRIP roadway reconstruction project covers 2.292 miles and will include an additional westbound truck climbing lane as part of the project. The NMDOT has also partnered with Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Flood Control Authority to include construction of the west diversion drainage project as part of this roadway project. By doing so, a substantial savings of tax dollars will be realized. Salls Brothers Construction Inc. is the contractor for the project, scheduled for completion in 270 working days.

Other projects include:

• N.M. 47 at Chical Rd - $500,000 intersection signalization project, started in February.
• I-40/San Mateo to Pennsylvania - $19.9 million GRIP interstate reconstruction project, started in March.
• I-40/Zuzax to Sedillo - GRIP interstate reconstruction, scheduled to start April or May.
• District Wide Pavement Preservation Project - $2 million. First project is I-25/Central to Gibson, starting in May.
• I-40/Carlisle to San Mateo - GRIP interstate reconstruction project and includes San Mateo interchange reconstruction project, scheduled to start in August.
• I-25/Rio Bravo to Gibson - interstate rehabilitation with additional lane added, to start in Sept. or Oct.

Wastewater System Upgrades on Tap for City of Hobbs

New Mexico Environment Department secretary Ron Curry approved a $15 million loan agreement for the City of Hobbs that will allow the city to improve and increase the capacity of its wastewater treatment system.

The new Division of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Development will oversee the loan. Governor Richardson established the division by executive order last year to fund water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Secretary Curry approved an initial $20 million loan for Hobbs' wastewater treatment system in 2006. However, because of an increase in construction and other costs, the city requested additional funding, bringing the city's total loan to $35 million.

The funding, which will be used to increase the capacity of the system, is provided through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides money for the fund, which creates low cost loans for New Mexico communities for programs that help protect water quality.

The agreement will allow the city to increase the wastewater treatment capacity of the City of Hobbs Wastewater Reclamation Facility to 5.5 mgd. The project, which is 45% complete, also includes improved treatment of wastes and bio-solids that meet state Environment Department Effluent Reuse Regulations.

To submit project news, events and personnel announcements, please email them to Scott Blair, editor, at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com. Include a color photograph or project rendering if applicable.