I-40 Manuelito Interchange Study
I-40 Milepost 7.9 to 8.9 near Manuelito in McKinley CountyNMDOT Control No. 6101600
YOUR INPUT IS KEY TO THIS PROCESS!
Below, please find more study details and how to share your comments before April 16, 2024.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is conducting a study of the Interstate 40 (I-40) and New Mexico Highway 118 (N.M. 118) interchange located east of the Arizona state line in McKinley County, New Mexico. The study area extends from I-40 milepost (MP) 7.9 to 8.9, which is approximately 3.4 miles east of Manuelito. The closest surrounding communities and establishments within the study area include Southwest Indian Ministries – Church of God, Manuelito Chapter House, Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home, Gallup Christian School, Tobe Turpen Elementary School, and the Villages of Manuelito, Defiance, and Mentmore. The lands in the vicinity of the roadway right-of-way consist of private, Navajo Nation and BNSF Railroad lands.
FUNDING
FHWA federal and state funds have been obtained to conduct this study, develop a preliminary design, and perform environmental investigations under Control Number 6101600. Final design and construction will be performed in the future when funds become available.
View looking west on I-40 near Exit 8 at the interchange with NM 118 (click to enlarge the image).
County
McKinley
District
District 6
STIP Number
Status
Study and Design (Preliminary)
Contact
Gabriel Sanchez-Ramos
Central Region Design
(505) 699-9616
PROJECT RESOURCES
EXISTING CONDITIONS
I-40 is the primary west-to-east route to and through central New Mexico and is a primary freight route. In the study area, I-40 is a rural, divided four-lane interstate with a posted speed limit of 75 miles per hour. NM 118 is a rural two-lane highway with a 30-mph posted speed limit. NM 118 follows the route of the former historic Route 66 and parallels I-40 for most of its length. A major element of this study is the I-40 bridge (Bridge No. 6502) over NM 118 at Exit 8. The additional bridges (Bridge Nos. 3488, 6281, and 6282) surrounding the study area are not included as part of this study.
As part of the information gathering stage, the study team has been collecting data on the existing conditions for the roadway, right-of-way, bridge, geotechnical, drainage, utilities, safety, traffic, land use, and environmental resources to inform the need for improvements and influence the development of the initial design alternatives.
Study Area Map (click on image to enlarge).
SOME OF THE EXISTING ENGINEERING FEATURES AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
BRIDGE HEIGHT AND WIDTH CLEARANCE:
The I-40 bridge (Bridge No. 6502) over NM 118 has a height of 13.5 feet and width restrictions. Semi-trucks traveling or diverted to this route do not have enough space to safely travel under the I-40 bridge.
SIGHT DISTANCE approaching I-40 from NM 118:
View of intersection with the I-40 westbound off-ramp approaching NM 118 and the I-40 westbound on-ramp from NM 118. There is a limited view of oncoming I-40 traffic for those entering the on-ramp.
INTERCHANGE TYPE:
The existing I-40 and NM 118 interchange does not meet current design standards and is complex and unclear for drivers to navigate.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
A PUBLIC MEETING was hosted on Sunday, March 17, 2024
The team gave a presentation on the study during a regularly scheduled monthly Manuelito Chapter House meeting. They went over the existing conditions identified in the study area and the initial design alternatives developed.
WHERE WE ARE NOW AND NEXT STEPS
We are still collecting information on existing conditions, establishing the need for interchange and bridge improvements, and developing several initial alternatives. Once we have gathered public and stakeholder input, the team will select the most reasonable and feasible design alternatives to carry forward into the detailed analysis phase.
SHARE COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
A public comment period will be open March 17 to April 16, 2024. You can provide comments at the meeting, by email, phone, mail, or the online comment form below.
I-40 Manuelito Interchange Study
C/O Victoria Romejko, HDR Engineering
2155 Louisiana Blvd NE # 3000
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-357-7327
If no answer, please leave your name & best phone number and we will call you right back!
COMMENT FORM:
online comment form