NM 264 Roadway Improvement Projects
from Tse Bonito to the US 491 interchange near Yah-Ta-Hey in McKinley CountyNMDOT Control No. 6101220
PROJECT OVERVIEW
N.M. Highway 264 (NM 264) is a 16-mile highway that extends west to east from the New Mexico/Arizona state line (milepost 0.0) to the US 491 interchange near Yah-Ta-Hey (milepost 16.0) in McKinley County. It serves as a key corridor to the Navajo Nation, connecting communities to Window Rock, AZ, located five miles across the Arizona border. NM 264 also connects to US 491 eight miles north of Gallup. The NMDOT, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, conducted an alignment study for NM 264 in 2023 to identify improvements needed and prioritize how work should be completed as funding becomes available.
PURPOSE AND NEED
The purpose of the project(s) would be to improve the roadway’s condition and life expectancy, improve drainage conditions, address substandard roadway geometry, add multimodal facilities, implement access management, and improve overall safety. The needs are based on deteriorated pavement conditions, which create a rough driving surface for vehicles. Additionally, existing drainage structures are in poor condition due to scour and/or significant sediment deposits, the roadway geometry is substandard, bicycle and pedestrian facilities don’t meet current standards, access management is lacking in urban areas, and the existing roadside guardrail is substandard.
NM 264 Project Area Map (click to enlarge image).
FUNDING
Funding for the study and design development for the 16-mile corridor includes federal and state funds. Construction funding was identified for a segment of NM 264 between MP 9.3 and MP 14.7 (Segment 1) under Control Number 6101221 and began in Spring 2024. Segment 1 highway improvements included reconstruction of the existing four lanes, drainage improvements, updating roadside barriers, signing, and pavement markings.
PROJECT UPDATE - SPRING 2025
Segment 1 from mile marker 1 to mile marker 15 is currently under construction. Construction will continue through the fall with an anticipated late fall completion. Once completed, the four-mile segment will include all new lanes, drainage improvements, roadside safety improvements, and signing and marking improvements.
The remaining 12 miles of the project corridor are currently under design. The twelve miles have been divided into three segments: Segment 2 from the state line to mile marker 5; Segment 3 from mile marker 5 to mile marker 10 (the current start of Segment 1); and Segment 4 from mile marker 10 to the US 491 interchange. All three design segments have recently gone through 90% of design review meetings. The design consultant will incorporate the comments and move forward to Pre-PS&E where the construction documents will be shelved and await construction funding.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The public events were hosted on August 23, 2022, May 17, 2023, and March 19, 2024. Please see the meeting summaries and fact sheets provided below.
PROJECT RESOURCES
NM 264 Roadway Improvements
Project Timeline
Spring/Summer 2022
• Establish the need for improvements
Summer/Fall 2022
• Virtual Public Event #1 – August 23, 2022
• Identify highway improvement alternatives
Fall/Winter 2022
• Evaluate improvement alternatives
• Prepare draft Alignment Study document
Spring 2023
• Virtual Public Event #2 – May 17, 2023
• Identify recommended alternative(s)
Summer 2023
• Select preferred alternative(s)
• Completion of NM 264 Alignment Study
Spring 2024
• In-Person Public Event #3 – March 19, 2024
• Segment 1 – Start Construction (CN 6101221)
Summer 2025
• Segments 2, 3, and 4 – Finalize Design Plans