NM 264 Roadway Improvement Projects

from Tse Bonito to the US 491 interchange near Yah-Ta-Hey in McKinley County

NMDOT Control No. 6101220

PROJECT OVERVIEW

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.

Map of NM 264 Project Segments for Roadway Improvements

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 has been identified for a segment of NM 264 between MP 9.3 and MP 14.7 (Segment 1) under Control Number 6101221 and is expected to start in early 2024.  Segment 1 highway improvements will include reconstruction of the existing four lanes, drainage improvements, and updating roadside barriers, signing, and pavement markings.

County

McKinley

District

District 6

STIP Number

6101220 (Study and Design)

Status

Study and Design

Contact

Gabriel Sanchez-Ramos
Central Region Design
505-699-9616

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Thank you for your participation in the Open House!

WHEN:  Tuesday, March 19, 2024 between 3:00 and 7:00 P.M. (MDT)
WHERE:  Navajo Nation Division of Transportation
16 Old Coal Mine, Tse Bonito, NM 87301

The purpose of the open house was to go over the preliminary designs developed by the team for the corridor, discuss the prioritization plan, and receive your input.  We will post a meeting summary as soon as it is available.

Public Meeting #3 – Fact Sheet (PDF)
Spring 2024

Check back regularly for updates!

PREVIOUS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The first public meeting was hosted on August 23, 2022  and a second public meeting was hosted on May 17, 2023.  Both were followed by a 30-day comment period. The recorded events, presentations, and meeting summaries with comments/questions received are provided below.

Public Meeting #1 – Meeting Summary (PDF)
October 2022

Public Meeting #1 – Fact Sheet (PDF)
August 2022

Public Meeting #1 – Presentation (PDF)
August 23, 2022

Public Meeting #1 – Recorded Event
August 23, 2022

Public Meeting #2 – Meeting Summary (PDF)
July 2023

Public Meeting #2 – Fact Sheet (PDF)
May 2023

Public Meeting #2 – Presentation (PDF)
May 17, 2023

Public Meeting #2 – Recorded Event
May 17, 2023

NM 264 rural road median view

PROJECT RESOURCES

Final NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Alignment Study
August 2023

NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Appendix A – Public Involvement Documentation
August 2023

NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Appendix B – Transportation Needs Analysis Report
August 2023

NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Appendix C – Drainage Report
August 2023

NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Appendix D – Phase 1-A Exhibits
August 2023

NM 264 Phase 1-A/B Appendix E – Phase 1-B Exhibits
August 2023

NM 264 Roadway Improvements

Project Timeline

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Spring/Summer 2022

• Establish the need for improvements

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Summer/Fall 2022

• Virtual Public Event #1 – August 23, 2022
• Identify highway improvement alternatives

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Fall/Winter 2022

• Evaluate improvement alternatives
• Prepare draft Alignment Study document

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Spring 2023

• Virtual Public Event #2 – May 17, 2023
• Identify recommended alternative(s)

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Summer 2023

• Select preferred alternative(s)
• Completion of NM 264 Alignment Study

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Spring 2024

• In-Person Public Event #3 – March 19, 2024
• Segment 1 – Start Construction (CN 6101221)

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Summer 2025

• Segments 2, 3, and 4 – Finalize Design Plans