U.S. Highway 180 (US 180) is an important east–west route that runs from central Arizona through southern New Mexico and into northern Texas. In southwestern New Mexico, it connects the communities of Silver City, Bayard, and Hurley, and links to major highways such as I-40, NM 26, and NM 90.

The project corridor covers about 11 miles, from just south of Bayard (milepost 123) to just west of Silver City (milepost 111, see Figures 1 and 2). This section is mostly a divided, four-lane roadway, with speed limits ranging from 55 mph in rural areas to 35 mph in town centers. The corridor includes residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and open spaces, serving local traffic as well as pedestrians and cyclists traveling to nearby schools, Western New Mexico University, sports facilities, and trails.

US 180 also plays a role in community events like the Tour of the Gila, a major cycling race that uses parts of this corridor and NM 90. Wildlife safety is another important concern—this section has been identified as New Mexico’s second-highest priority area for reducing wildlife–vehicle collisions (NMDOT, 2022).

Safety challenges along the corridor include vehicle crashes, wildlife conflicts, and limited infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists. The safety scoping effort aims to identify improvements that will reduce crashes, improve safety for all users, and enhance emergency response times. By addressing these issues, the project will help create a safer, healthier, and more connected corridor for everyone who lives, works, and travels in the area.