Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to fund a number of scenic byway projects in the state.

In a letter to Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, Bingaman strongly supported the application to the Federal Highway Administration’s Scenic Byways Program for 10 New Mexico proposals.

“I have been a long-time supporter of the National Scenic Byway Program because of the important role that tourism plays in economic development in rural areas. I believe all these projects will help communities in New Mexico preserve their natural and cultural resources and enhance the experience of visitors to our state,” Bingaman said.

Below are the proposals seeking funding. Awards will be announced this summer:

• Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway, $162,400: The byway will use funds to improve signs and other interpretation of the West Fork Ruins in the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and other locations along the byway.

• Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway, $202,100: Funding is requested for phase I of a new pedestrian and bicycle path along highway 48 in the Village of Ruidoso. The trail will wind two miles along the Rio Ruidoso. Phase I includes ¾ mile of trail, parking, a foot bridge, bench seating, bathrooms and a river outlook.

• Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway, $34,424: The byway will use the funds to update the current corridor management plan for preparation of brochures, newsletters, maps and a website.

• La Frontera del Llano Scenic Byway, $77,000: The Village of Mosquero will use funds for new restrooms and an information kiosk.

• State Wide Scenic Byways, $45,200: The New Mexico Department of Tourism will use funds to prepare a new guide book of all 26 of New Mexico’s scenic byways.

• Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway – Las Vegas, $152,499: The Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation in Las Vegas will use funds for seven new kiosks between Clayton and Santa Fe, sixteen way-side exhibits, new signs and a new brochure.

• El Camino Real National Scenic Byway and Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway, $100,000: The Mid-Region Council of Governments request funds to reestablish a sustainable scenic byway organization and to update the corridor management plan for the Salt Missions Trail Byway in Torrance County and to build sustainable scenic byway organizations in Belen and Los Lunas and to develop a corridor management plan for the El Camino Real Scenic Byway in Valencia County.

• Route 66 National Scenic Byway – Santa Rosa, $62,400: The City of Santa Rosa will use funds to place a byway visitor information and interpretive center in the historic 1901 Ilfeld Warehouse.

• Route 66 National Scenic Byway – Tucumcari, $52,500: The City of Tucumcari will use funds to develop an interpretive slide show of sites along Historic Route 66 in Tucumcari and vicinity. An information kiosk will also be installed with directional maps and other Route 66 publications.

• Trail of Ancient Scenic Byways – Aztec, $60,800: The City of Aztec will use the funds for marketing and interpretive plans highlighting the portion of the byway off of US 550, including Chaco Canyon. The effort includes brochures, posters and advertisements.