REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INPUT – NM 434 from the Mora/Colfax Cty line to NM 120, CN 4100383

The NMDOT, in cooperation with FHWA, is continuing work on the reconstruction of NM 434 within Mora and Colfax counties.  NM 434 is an important regional transportation facility within the north-central portion of the state, providing a primary connection between Mora and Angel Fire as well as access to a number of smaller communities. In 2012 the NMDOT began the process to plan and design a series of construction projects to reconstruct 8 1/2 miles of the existing roadway beginning just to the north of Coyote Creek State Park and ending at the Junction of NM 434 and NM 120. Construction has been completed along the southernmost 3.9 miles of the project area, and will continue soon on an additional 2.2 miles that will end at the Mora/Colfax County Line.

The remaining 2 ½ miles of improvements will complete the project from the County Line to the intersection of NM 434 & NM 120. Planned improvements for the northernmost 2 ½ miles of the project area are currently in the final design stage. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026, with the possibility of an earlier start date depending on the availability of funds. Safety and operational enhancements will include widening the roadway to accommodate two 12-foot driving lanes with 6-foot outside shoulders, and associated alignment and roadside improvements. The majority of the new roadway will follow the existing roadway alignment. A short 0.38-mile stretch will be offset about 400 feet to the east along a new alignment and will include a new bridge crossing over Coyote Creek at the Black Lake outfall. A small portion of the existing roadway, including the culverts at the creek crossing, will be converted into an NMDOT maintenance road. The remainder of the existing road within the realignment area will be removed and abandoned.