Carlsbad Current Argus (Nov. 10, 2019) – More than $12 million in federal funds could help the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) with improvements and safety enhancements on a busy southeastern New Mexico highway.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the grant to NMDOT for work on a section of U.S. Highway 285 from Loving to the Texas border, read a news release from New Mexico’s congressional delegation.

The $12.5 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant will pay for repairs, turning and acceleration/deceleration lanes, shoulders, bridge work and stronger pavement on about the first 25 miles of 285 in New Mexico, per the release.

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) said the money is critical for public safety and the economy of Southeast New Mexico.

“Given the rapidly growing use of this roadway by heavy trucks and equipment, these federal funds will help NMDOT make U.S. 285 a safer, more reliable highway thoroughfare to the Texas border,” he said in the release.

U.S. 285 is a major transportation artery in southeastern New Mexico and increased traffic from the oil and gas boom has worsened road conditions along the route, the release read.

NMDOT should receive official word on the federal money Nov. 12, according to Spokesperson Manon Arnett.

“Although NMDOT has not been officially notified we are very pleased with the announcement and look forward to receiving official notice and putting the money to good use for our southeastern New Mexico partners,” she said.

Arnett said “it would be a few months” before NMDOT takes possession of the federal funds.

NMDOT gets $12.5M from feds to improve U.S. 285 near Loving