Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said that a key transportation bill that was signed into law today contains two New Mexico transportation-related projects.

The bill makes technical corrections and updates to the 2005 SAFETEA-LU (The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act-Legacy for Users) Act, which sends millions of dollars to New Mexico for various highway and transit projects.

Bingaman secured $5 million, in SAFETEA-LU for the reconstruction of seven miles of the NM-524 truck bypass in Carlsbad. Mayor Bob Forrest asked Bingaman to seek Congressional approval of a provision that would allow the city to use some of the $5 million for a project to reconstruct 1.6 miles of Canal Street. Because the $5 million was originally set aside in the law exclusively for NM-524, Congressional approval is needed before the funds can be redirected.

“I am pleased this funding has cleared its final hurdle and can now be used for the Canal street project in Carlsbad,” Bingaman said.

Additionally, the bill contains a Bingaman provision authorizing the New Mexico Department of Transportation to use a $1 million set aside for the Rail Runner for stations and transit projects in Albuquerque and Santa Fe associated with the commuter rail. The funding was originally set aside for studies that have already been completed.

“High gas prices are encouraging more people to begin using public transportation,” Bingaman said. “This funding is an important investment in New Mexico’s transit system.”