New Mexico Department of Transportation Logo

International Programs

  1. Home
  2. Contact Us
  3. Districts
  4. District 1
  5. International Programs

The New Mexico Department of Transportation International Programs plays a proactive role in bi-national transportation infrastructure planning and economic development strategy along the New Mexico-Chihuahua international border.

The International Programs team has a number of responsibilities, from drafting documents that establish or strengthen U.S.–Mexico bilateral cooperation, to collecting and analyzing data that allows regional individuals and entities to better plan and target infrastructure investment, to advocating for political and economic policy approaches that will create economic growth and infrastructure development in the region. In every instance, it measures its success by the degree to which it acts as an active catalyst for innovative and positive infrastructure and economic change in the Border region. The International Programs works closely with multiple bi-national public and private entities for the continued collaboration to assure the movement of trade and traffic within the Border region in a safe and efficient manner.

Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner

Homerio.Bernal@dot.nm.gov
575-386-6604

Useful Links

New Mexico - Chihuahua Border Master Plan (BMP)

Project Overview: The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has initiated a study to develop a New Mexico-Chihuahua Border Master Plan (BMP). The purpose of this study is to develop an integrated BMP to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of New Mexico-Chihuahua cross-border traffic. The BMP takes a binational comprehensive approach to coordinate the planning and delivery of projects to improve land ports of entry (LPOE) and the transportation infrastructure serving these ports in the New Mexico-Chihuahua border region. The BMP study area covers a wide range of jurisdictions, including federal, state, county and city governments, along with others including port authorities, planning associations and railroad companies. An inclusive stakeholder involvement program, seamlessly implemented on both sides of the border, is essential to achieving the objectives of the BMP study. A Bi-National Commitment: The US-Mexico Joint Working Committee (JWC) on Transportation Planning proposes to create a compendium of border-wide regional master plans with a comprehensive and prioritized assessment of transportation needs along the border including at the Land Ports of Entry (POE). The Regional Master Plan provides the next logical step in a comprehensive, binational transportation planning process. The Border Master Plan (BMP) will go beyond the Binational Transportation Infrastructure Needs Assessment Study, Phase II (BINS II) to gather land use, environment, population, and socio-economic data. This data will be used to adequately evaluate growth and future capacity needs at the border and to more realistically forecast future conditions in the border region. Additionally, this data can be utilized to evaluate the existing binational transportation and LPOE system, its current and future demand, and the infrastructure necessary to handle the expected growth. The Regional Master Plan would help foster consistency among the individual agency planning processes, which creates a documentation that feeds back into the periodic updates of the plan. The Master Plan must consider short-term, mid-term, and long-term needs. The comprehensive list and prioritized assessment of the transportation and POE needs will support international trade as well as improve cross-border travel and the quality of life for the residents and visitors of each region. Contacts: Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner 575-386-6604 Plan Documents

Santa Teresa Border Area Transportation Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan (STBAT Strategic Plan)

Project Overview:
The Santa Teresa Border Area Transportation Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan (STBAT Strategic Plan) is a guiding document designed to contribute to effective decision-making strategies for transportation infrastructure in the Santa Teresa Border Area. The study was funded by a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), and, consistent with the objectives of that grant, the study examined potential long-term outcomes related to economic competitiveness, quality of life, state of good repair, safety and environmental sustainability. Given the proximity to the U.S.-Mexico international border and the significant economic changes – current and projected – in the New Mexico, Texas and Chihuahua Tri-state region, a specific emphasis of the study was the nexus between employment opportunities and transportation infrastructure, in particular investment in regional transportation projects that will ensure proactive transportation planning related to regional economic development.

The STBAT represents the first attempt to aggregate all previous regional plans, studies and reports and determine the highest priority transportation infrastructure projects for the Santa Teresa border region based on the considerations mentioned above. The study is multi-modal in nature, and while there is by necessity a strong emphasis on freight mobility, other transportation modes such as personal vehicles, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities are included as they are important factors in defining economic development opportunities in the region. The process of determining the highest priority recommendations is supported by a Needs Assessment of the existing transportation infrastructure network that identifies current and projected economic development growth and needs. Ultimately, the study is designed to provide local, regional, state, and national entities with concrete, viable recommendations to guide their transportation policy decisions given identified constraints and opportunities.

Contacts:

Trent Doolittle, PE, District Engineer, NMDOT District One
575-313-3860

Harold A. Love, P.E., Assistant District Engineer, NMDOT District One
575-544-6597

Plan Documents

West Mesa Corridor Study (2017)

Introduction:

This report documents the findings, investigations, analyses, and recommendations of the West Mesa Corridor Study Phase 1B Detailed Alternatives Analysis to provide access directly between Santa Teresa, New Mexico and Interstate 10, west of Las Cruces New Mexico. The project limits are located in Doña Ana County. The purpose of this study is to determine the recommended alternative based on the potential roadway corridors, alignments, typical sections, and drainage improvements recommended as part of the Phase A Study under a separate cover. The Control Number for this Location Study is 1100820.

Project Area:

The proposed West Mesa corridor is located west of I-10, starting from the Santa Teresa border crossing, and extends approximately 33 miles in a northerly direction along the top of the escarpment to I-10 west of Las Cruces. This report also incorporates a connection to I-10 near Anthony via the NM 404 interchange; this shorter route would decrease the construction cost and take advantage of the I-10 6 Lane Improvements.

Existing transportation facilities in the area include NM 136, NM 9, Airport Road, and other improved roadway connections. NM 136 (Pete V. Domenici Highway) provides connection from the Santa Teresa border crossing to I-10 (a portion of the connection is located in Texas). NM 9 (Columbus Road) connects to NM136 and continues to the west. Airport Road provides a connection from NM 273 to the Santa Teresa Airport and adjacent development. Other improved roadway connections include Strauss Road as well as Industrial Road, which provide for access to commercial development in the Santa Teresa area.

Contacts:

Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner
575-386-6604

Plan Documents:

Santa Teresa International Rail Study (April 2016)

Project Overview: The study investigates the economic and financial feasibility of the rail bypass through a benefit-cost analysis and an economic impact analysis. Further, the study reviews potential project funding sources and innovative funding options, discusses potential business models, and assesses revenue streams potentially generated through value capture from increased development and economic activity generated by the bypass. Due to the project’s unique bi-state and international nature, the lack of significant revenue, if any, generated directly from the project itself, and existing limitations on “donations” by the State of New Mexico and local governments to private infrastructure projects, it is likely that a unique project ownership structure and funding strategy will be required in order to effectively utilize available sources of support. Preparation of items for the project’s Presidential permit, initial project notification to the U.S. government, and bi-national coordination with Mexico are also a part of this study. This includes the establishment of overall permit requirements, submission of a Project Information Notification, bi-national coordination through U.S.-Mexico Bridges and Border Crossings Group and Joint Working Committee and Mexico’s agencies, and development of content on permit holder, ownership arrangements, project facilities, and the project’s advancement of U.S. national interest. This study is the first phase (feasibility) of the bi-national process and is a starting point for future phases of the study. Future phases of the project include preparation and approval of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, further engineering development and design of the proposed rail bypass, and Presidential permit preparation and approval. Contacts: Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner 575-386-6604 Plan Documents:

Commercial Border Crossing and Wait Time Measurement Report at Santa Teresa International Border Crossing

Project Overview:
Through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) provided the installation of a border crossing and wait time measurement system at the Santa Teresa International Border Crossing for northbound commercial vehicles traveling from Mexico into New Mexico.  The border crossing and wait time measurement system is based on RFID technology and includes four RFID reader stations in the truck path from Mexico into New Mexico.

The development and implementation of the wait and crossing-time measurement system for the Santa Teresa LPOE began in March 2017, with the Final Report completed in September 2019.  The System collects, archives, and posts northbound border wait times for commercial vehicles entering the State of New Mexico from Mexico on the Border Crossing Information System that is available on the website (bcis.tti.tamu.edu). The Final Report covers the work developed during the course of the project.

Contacts:

Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner
575-386-6604

Plan Documents:

NM 136 Alignment Study 2016

Project Overview:

The NM 136 Corridor Study was completed by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The study process follows NMDOT’s Location Study Procedures Guidebook for Alignment and Corridor Studies (August 2015) and includes both the Phase A and Phase B components. NM 136 is a primary arterial that serves as a connection between the Santa Teresa Border Crossing and access to Interstate 10 in El Paso via the Artcraft Road interchange. It is the only roadway to serve Doña Ana County Airport, the new Union Pacific Railroad Strauss Yard, the surrounding industrial parks, and local residential developments. NM 136 provides direct access to an area of the state that has great potential for economic development and opportunities for growth. Proposed improvements to the NM 136 corridor will preserve or reconstruct the pavement section to accommodate current and future truck traffic, preserve traffic operations to serve anticipated growth, and maintain mobility and access to support economic development initiatives.

Contacts:

Homerio Bernal, NMDOT International Programs Planner
575-386-6604

Plan Documents:

NM 273 Final Phase 1A Drainage Report November 2020

The study area encompasses a corridor on NM 273 located in Sunland Park, NM and Santa Teresa, NM. The corridor starts at MP 0.0, located at the Texas/New Mexico border, and ends at MP 9.2, located just south of NM 136 (Pete V. Domenici Highway). The purpose of this study is to analyze and make recommendations on all deficient drainage structures inside the corridor with the intent of providing NMDOT the ability to use the findings of this report when planning for future projects in the study area as needed. The Design Criteria for the existing and
proposed improvements are a 50-year design storm and a 100-year check storm for NM 273, documented as a Minor Arterial based on the adopted functional classification seen in The Sunland Park 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This Plan also notes a facility type of a Principal Arterial/Major Collector due to the ADT, the design criteria for this roadway type would follow the same guidelines due to the ADT in this location. Approximately 70 contributing subbasin areas have been defined for the 40 existing culvert crossings of NM 273 within the project limits. These culvert crossings include cross culverts and storm drain connections to culvert outfalls. Hydrologic methods used to determine the design flow rates include the Simplified Peak Flow Method (for crossing structures with less than 10 square miles contributing area) and SCS Unit Hydrograph Method (for crossing structures with greater than 10 square miles contributing area or upstream storage component). Rational method was used for onsite storm drain structures. The existing storm drain was analyzed from Milepost (MP) 0.0 to MP 0.8, MP 3.3 to MP 4.3, MP 5.7 to MP 8.3, and MP 8.3 to MP 9.3. NMDOT granted a variance for the 2019 roadway construction from MP 0.8 to MP 3.1. The Culverts and storm drain systems throughout this area are being updated per the Smith Engineering Final Drainage Report for NM 273, Project control number – E100160.