U.S. Highway 180 Corridor Safety Scoping Project
West of Silver City to East of Santa Clara (Milepost 111 to Milepost 123)
Control Number 1102290
PROJECT OVERVIEW
U.S. Highway 180 (US 180) is an important east–west route that runs from central Arizona through southern New Mexico and into northern Texas. In southwestern New Mexico, it connects the communities of Silver City, Bayard, and Hurley, and links to major highways such as I-40, NM 26, and NM 90.
The project corridor covers about 11 miles, from just south of Bayard (milepost 123) to just west of Silver City (milepost 111, see Figure 1). This section is mostly a divided, four-lane roadway, with speed limits ranging from 55 mph in rural areas to 35 mph in town centers. The corridor includes residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and open spaces, serving local traffic as well as pedestrians and cyclists traveling to nearby schools, Western New Mexico University, sports facilities, and trails.
US 180 also plays a role in community events like the Tour of the Gila, a major cycling race that uses parts of this corridor and NM 90. Wildlife safety is another important concern—this section has been identified as New Mexico’s second-highest priority area for reducing wildlife–vehicle collisions (NMDOT, 2022).
Safety challenges along the corridor include vehicle crashes, wildlife conflicts, and limited infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists. The safety scoping effort aims to identify improvements that will reduce crashes, improve safety for all users, and enhance emergency response times. By addressing these issues, the project will help create a safer, healthier, and more connected corridor for everyone who lives, works, and travels in the area.
Figure 1. U.S. 180 Corridor Map between Silver City and Bayard, New Mexico.
Where are we in the Project Development Process?
We are currently in the planning phase. This project is part of NMDOT’s Target Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries on New Mexico’s roads. The effort is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), ensuring that safety remains the guiding priority throughout the project.
To better understand existing conditions along the US 180 corridor, the project team collected and analyzed data on traffic patterns, roadway design, and safety issues. This winter, the team shared those findings—along with the initial Phase 1 improvement concepts—with the community to gather feedback.
Public input is now being used to refine the Phase 1 design and to help develop a prioritization plan. This plan will guide how improvements are phased and implemented as funding becomes available.
County
Grant
District
District 1
STIP Number
Status
Planning and Design
Contact
Gamaliel Zepeda
South Region Project Development Engineer
575-728-5393
Improving Safety at Key Intersections in Silver City
FIRST PHASE of PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
The first phase identified for this scoping effort (Phase 1) focuses on one of Silver City’s busiest areas—the corridor surrounding the US 180/NM 90 intersection (see Figures 2 and 3). This phase includes the segment of US 180 between North Swan Street and Little Walnut Road, as well as the triangular area formed by US 180, East 14th Street, and NM 90 (North Hudson Street).
A Road Safety Audit (RSA) completed in 2023 identified the intersections of US 180 at North Hudson Street, Swan Street, and 14th Street as having the highest crash frequencies in Silver City. The audit identified several key concerns, including a high crash rate, limited pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and opportunities to improve traffic flow and overall safety. The RSA outlines a range of near-, mid-, and long-term recommendations to improve safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
The rendering shown in the video below illustrates one alternative currently being considered to address these concerns. This is not a final design, and the alternative may change as the project continues to develop.
The audit also highlighted several existing safety challenges, including:
- Sidewalks and crossings that don’t meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards
- Gaps in bicycle routes or infrastructure
- Faded pavement markings
- Complicated and confusing intersection layouts
WHAT's NEXT?
Two public engagement events have been held so far (visit the Public Involvement section for more details). NMDOT and the project team are reviewing comments and questions received from the community as the intersection design for Phase One continues to be refined.
NMDOT expects to share an update on the design in late spring 2026. Final design plans are anticipated to be completed by summer 2026.
The rendering shown in this video is an alternative being considered that would help improve the concerns identified at the Phase One intersection. NOTE: This is not a final design, and this alternative is subject to change as the project progresses.
Figure 2. Phase One project area map at the US 180/NM 90 Intersection
Figure 3. Aerial view of US 180, NM 90, and 14th Street within Silver City.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Public Engagement Approach
Public input is a key part of the US 180 Silver City Safety Scoping Project. Community members and local stakeholders are helping identify safety issues along the corridor—especially for people walking and biking—and their feedback is shaping the project’s goals, priorities, and future improvement options.
A Two‑Step Approach
This study includes a unique two‑phase engagement process:
Step 1 focuses on the Silver City area, where safety needs are most urgent, particularly for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Step 2 involves broader outreach to communities along the entire US 180 corridor, ensuring that local discussions connect to a larger, corridor‑wide vision.
As the project moves forward, additional engagement opportunities will continue to ensure that improvements reflect the needs and experiences of everyone who travels US 180.
ENGAGEMENT EVENTS HELD to DATE
December 10, 2025: A corridor‑wide open house to introduce initial concepts and gather feedback.
February 19, 2026: A neighborhood meeting held in response to strong interest in the proposed changes near US 180 and Juniper Street, especially from residents north of the US 180/NM 90 intersection. This meeting offered another chance for residents to ask questions, voice concerns, and learn more.
Late Spring 2026 (TBD): A public event will be held to share an update on the design for Phase 1.
What We Heard from the Community
Common themes from public comments and questions included:
- Concerns about whether proposed changes might shift traffic onto nearby streets such as Yucca, Cactus, and Swan, potentially creating new congestion or safety issues.
- Questions about how the project will support bicycle travel and what types of bike accommodations are being considered.
- Interest in whether other design options were evaluated, such as realigning the NM 90/US 180 intersection or exploring a roundabout.
- Suggestions to consider short‑term improvements—such as updated striping or adjustments to signal timing—while long‑term construction plans move forward.
- Concerns about vehicle speeds along US 180 and ideas for strategies to reduce speeding and improve overall corridor safety.
Public Involvement Summary – A summary of all public involvement completed to date will be posted to the project website in early spring 2026.
PUBLIC EVENT RESOURCES:
Materials shared during the open house are available below for anyone who was unable to attend or would like to review the information again.
Public Event Introduction Presentation
December 2025
Open House Event Information Boards
December 2025
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Question 1: How much funding has been set aside for early project planning?
Answer: A total of $2,798,915 has been allocated for early planning and design work. This funding supports activities such as:
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- Developing and reviewing possible improvement options
- Evaluating the best alternatives
- Preparing environmental documentation
- Creating preliminary designs for one phase of improvements
- Completing final design for one phase of improvements
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Question 2: Has early engineering and design work been completed?
Answer: Not yet. The planning for the entire corridor is still in the early stages, and design work is currently underway for Phase 1 (described in the Section above), which focuses on the US 180/NM 90 intersection.
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- Phase 1 is expected to reach the 30% design milestone in Spring 2026.
- Design schedules for the remaining segments of the corridor have not been finalized.
- Once design work for Phase I is complete, a plan will be created to prioritize the remaining segments.
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Question 3: Are improvements planned for the intersection of US 180/NM 90?
Answer: Yes. Improvements to this intersection are included in Phase 1 of the corridor project. Design is expected to be complete in Summer 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in early 2027. As design work continues, specific improvements will become clearer, and updates will be shared with the community.
Question 4: When will the community be able to see the proposed improvements?
Answer: Information about the proposed improvements will be shared with the public as the design for Phase 1 progresses. Updates will be provided on this webpage and at another public event as new details become available.
PROJECT RESOURCES
New Mexico Wildlife Corridors Action Plan
Final Report, NMDOT June 2022
US 180 Safety Scoping Projects
Timeline
Summer 2025
- Conduct data collection and analysis for corridor
Fall/WINTER 2025
- PUBLIC EVENT #1 – Dec 10th
- Identify potential phases for improvement within corridor
WINTER 2025/2026
- Develop preliminary design plans for Phase 1
- NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING – Feb 19th
- Continue evaluating other key locations in the corridor
Spring 2026
- Conduct cultural resource survey for Phase 1
- Develop scoping and prioritization plan for larger corridor
- PUBLIC EVENT #2 – TBD
Summer 2026
- Finalize design plans for Phase 1
- Complete environmental documentation for Phase 1