U.S. Highway 60 Socorro Alignment Study
Milepost 136.2 to 139 in SocorroNMDOT Control No. 1102050
PROJECT OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is conducting the U.S. Highway 60 (U.S. 60) Socorro Alignment Study. The study area is located about 75 miles south of Albuquerque in the Town of Socorro, New Mexico. U.S. 60 is an east-west United States highway spanning 2,655 miles across nine states. This study will focus on a section of this highway between mileposts 136.2 and 139.0.
This portion of U.S. 60 transitions from a rural highway into a population center, which contributes to the complexity of analysis and design required for this study. Community centers, residences, schools, and local businesses all occupy the same short stretch of highway used by both local traffic and road trippers. Changes in speed, lanes, and driveway density prevent a uniform design and as such require a context-sensitive design to convey both local and through traffic safely.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the condition of roadway, traffic, and drainage and assess the features against current standards to determine whether improvements are needed to enhance safety, operations, and multimodal accessibility in the study area.
FUNDING
Funding for the study phase currently includes state funds through House Bill 2-2021 Legislative Session (HB2-21) under Control Number 1102050.
Study Area Map (click on image to enlarge).
County
Socorro
District
District 1
STIP Number
Status
Study and Design
Contact
Sherri Holliefield, PE
South Region Design Manager
(575) 202-6594
PROJECT RESOURCES
EXISTING CONDITIONS
As part of the Phase A study process, the team has been collecting data on the existing conditions for the roadway, right-of-way, existing bridge, geotechnical, drainage, utilities, safety, traffic, land
use, environmental, cultural and biological resources, and socioeconomic conditions that will influence the need for improvements and the identification and evaluation of proposed alternatives.
WEST - RURAL SEGMENT (Milepost 135.5 to 138.1)
Within the RURAL SEGMENT of U.S. 60 on the west side of town from the Mantanza Arroyo to the BNSF Railroad crossing, U.S. 60 is a rural two-lane undivided roadway with varying shoulder widths. There is no lighting and more than 19 driveways within a 1.4-mile section. The posted speed limit ranges from 35 to 55 miles per hour. The pavement is this segment is in fair to poor condition.
SOUTH - URBAN SEGMENT (Milepost 138.1 to 138.4)
The SOUTH URBAN SEGMENT between the BNSF railroad crossing and the “Y” intersection at 6th and Grants Street U.S. 60 is an urban 4-lane roadway with 12-ft travel lanes, 6-ft shoulders, a raised median, and limited lighting within a 0.65-mile section. The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour. There is some on-street parking. Sidewalks are intermittent and not ADA-compliant. There are no bike lanes and no bus stops. Pavement conditions are fair.
EAST - URBAN SEGMENT (Milepost 138.4 to 139.0)
The EAST URBAN SEGMENT between the “Y” intersection and California Street consists of a 4-lane undivided roadway with 12-ft travel lanes, 6-ft shoulders, and limited lighting within a 0.5-mile section. The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour. There is some on-street parking. Sidewalks are intermittent and are not ADA-compliant. There are no bike lanes and no bus stops. Pavement conditions are fair.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
A public meeting was hosted on October 11th, 2023 at the Socorro Convention Center to go over the existing conditions identified and the roadway alternatives developed by the team and to receive community input.
The formal comment period closed on Nov 10th; however, we did except all comments received through Nov 13th. We greatly appreciated hearing from so many of you and look forward to your involvement moving forward.
TO LEARN MORE
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND or WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW THE MATERIALS AGAIN:
Watch the recorded presentation and review the PowerPoint.
TO STAY CONNECTED
IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST, please email Devin Kennemore at devin@pathfinderenvironmental.com
Presentation, October 2023 (PDF)
U.S. 60 Socorro Alignment Study
Study Timeline
Summer/Winter 2022
• Establish the need for improvements
Fall 2022
• Stakeholder Meeting – September 1, 2022
Spring/Summer/Fall 2023
• Evaluate improvement alternatives
• Prepare draft Alignment Study document
Summer 2023
• Stakeholder Meeting – July 19, 2023
Fall 2023
• Public Meeting – October 11, 2023
• Review alternative under consideration
Winter 2024
• Public Meeting – January 2024
• Identify recommended alternative(s)
Spring 2024
• Select preferred alternative(s)
• Completion of U.S. 60 Socorro Alignment Study