Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the state of New Mexico has been awarded a $1.23 million grant to help expand commercial rail service to the Southern part of the state.

Funding was awarded through the Economic Development Administration (EDA).   Funding will be used to conduct a study to help determine the feasibility of a bi-national railway bypass from south of Juárez, Mexico, to Santa Teresa in Doña Ana County.  The bypass would aide in international trade with Mexico and New Mexico by eliminating the current rail congestion between Juárez and El Paso, Texas. The study will focus on environmental, engineering and financial feasibility as well as impacts on security, timing and international trade.

"Expanding commercial rail access in Santa Teresa would help increase international trade with Mexico and boost economic development in the region," Bingaman said.