State Transportation Department announces $34.4 million for Active, Transportation, Recreation and Air Quality Improvement Projects

SANTA FE – Twenty-two communities across the state will receive approximately $34.4 million in federal funding for transportation and recreational trail projects through the Transportation Alternative (TAP), Recreational Trails (RTP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Programs.  NMDOT administers these federal funding programs in New Mexico. When leveraged with local dollars and in-kind services, the 29 projects represent more than $39 million in transportation and recreational investment over the next three to five years. 

Some of the awards from FY23 include:

• $187,000 from TAP awarded to Las Cruces Public Schools for the Safe Routes to School program which helps students find ways to safely walk and bicycle to school.
• $300,000 from RTP awarded to Clovis for the Liebelt Channel Trail creating a pedestrian and bicycle trail for residents connecting to parks, schools, businesses, healthcare services, and other facilities along Main St.
• $3.2 million from CMAQ awarded to Bernalillo County to construct the Dolores Huerta Pedestrian Bridge providing a safe pedestrian crossing over the Rio Grande River near Bridge Blvd.

NMDOT and the project selection committees selected 29 projects from a pool of 35 applications. The statewide competitive processes required applicants to demonstrate how the project addresses local economic vitality, improves safety and security, increases accessibility, mobility and enhances the environment, among other scoring factors.  See the NMDOT Multimodal Planning and Programs Bureau[1] website for more information on each individual program, requirements, eligibilities, and the selection process. The table below shows the current award and project timelines. Funding amounts are subject to change as projects move through the development process.

The San Juan County Public Works Director Nick Porell shared the following reflections on his experience as an applicant and awardee of NMDOT grant dollars,

“San Juan County has been the fortunate recipient of five total awards through RTP and TAP programs. The TAP awards have successfully constructed a 2+ mile multiuse path which serves the Kirtland area schools within the Central Consolidated School District creating safe pedestrian and bicycle routes for area students. RTP funding has been used in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Farmington Field Office for mountain bike and OHV trail improvements and expansion, trailheads, and skills areas within the Glade Run Recreation Area. The RTP projects have illustrated an excellent opportunity for partnership between Federal, State and Local governments to create meaningful recreation and economic development opportunities for area residents and visitors.”

The City of Farmington received more than $3.3 million during this call for applications to support three projects, including the design of a multiuse trail along the San Juan River, the updating of sidewalks to meet current ADA requirements, provisions for universal access, and the improvement of facilities to enhance residents’ quality of life with the hope of encouraging a modal shift to walking and biking along Main Street and Sunset Avenue.

Three bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects were also selected within Santa Fe County, totaling more than $5.2 million.  The projects include the continuation of multiuse trails with green infrastructure elements providing first-and-last mile connections to the 599 Rail Runner Station; the connection of a low-income neighborhood to the area’s existing trail networks, social services, schools, transit; and a multiuse trail connecting students to two elementary schools in the area.

*Project co-funded with TAP and CMAQ funds