An unprecedented boom in the oil and gas industry has boosted New Mexico’s economy and the budget of the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The infusion has fueled major projects and programs not only for highways, but now for rail. With a reorganization and additional funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, NMDOT is embarking on its own construction boom.
“In the past, we’ve been tied to the resources available from federal aid,” says David Quintana, acting secretary of the New Mexico DOT. “Those formula dollars were our ceiling. Often project scopes had to be adjusted to fit the available budget.”
The I-25 improvements are one of several ongoing NMDOT design and construction projects.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
When oil and gas revenues began to rise in the state in 2019, they added $1.3 billion for the agency on top of the federal program. Then came the IIJA.
The agency received $2.5 billion for highways and bridges, about $366 million for public transit, about $38 million for electric vehicle charging and $90 million for airports.
“This added funding kept us on pace with construction costs,” says Quintana. But he adds: “We always need additional funding.”
In January, the National Transportation Research Group (TRIP) released a report that found that New Mexico’s roads and bridges that are deteriorating, congested or lacking some desirable safety features cost the state’s motorists a total of $3.3 billion annually, up to $3,061 per driver in some urban areas, due to rough driving, traffic delays and traffic-related crashes. NMDOT has identified $7.5 billion to fully address its state of repair needs.
NMDOT has identified $7.5 million to address its well repair needs.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
A state senator is sponsoring Senate Bill 2, which would provide $1.5 billion in bond funding over 20 years for NMDOT to address its most pressing road and highway needs.
In the meantime, the agency has several projects underway or on the horizon:
- Improved I-25, Comanche to Montgomery project
The largest construction project in recent history, the $268 million design-build effort is expected to last through the spring of 2027. NMDOT is replacing aging bridges and modernizing the interchanges between Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard. Construction began in 2024 and is expected to continue until 2027.
- US/Mexico Border Highway Connector
The Border Highway Connector is an approximately $170 million highway project designed to build a new four-lane highway and bridge in Doña Ana County. It will reduce travel times, improve the movement of goods near the Santa Teresa Port of Entry and strengthen economic development linked to cross-border trade. The project is in the planning phase.
- Walnut Canyon Bridge Replacement
The Nogal Canyon Bridge Replacement Project is a $142 million interstate infrastructure improvement. The project proposes to replace the existing I-25 truss bridge over Walnut Canyon at mile marker 107 with two new bridge structures. Proposed improvements include a cast-in-place segmented concrete girder bridge and roadway improvements that include improved slope stability.
- Taos Gorge Bridge Elevation Project
The Taos Gorge Raising Rails Project is an estimated $8 million safety upgrade to increase the height of the bridge’s railings to prevent suicides and improve safety at one of New Mexico’s most iconic locations.
“Public safety is at the forefront of NMDOT’s decision-making,” says Gabby Contreras-Apodaca, Stantec’s director of transportation. The company recently completed a study for NMDOT of the US 285/NM 31 interchange, which has significant truck, vehicle and rail traffic.
“When embarking on this project, Stantec’s data showed that the improvements would significantly increase safety for the traveling public,” says Contreras-Apodaca. “Although Eddy County was the initial project partner, NMDOT chose to participate in the project and collaborate with Eddy County to make this intersection safer. During our work, NMDOT provided prompt and positive feedback and remained in regular communication with Stantec regarding the design efforts.”
A travel study found road deficiencies cost New Mexico $3.3 million annually.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
Embracing the partnership
NMDOT has created regional design centers in its infrastructure division focused on the South, Central and North regions, Quintana says. “As our program grows, we’re looking at more alternative delivery methods,” such as design-build and construction manager-general contractor.
“It’s attractive to work with a DOT like [NMDOT].”
—Michael Moehn, vice president of Fisher Sand & Gravel
Two decades ago, NMDOT, then called the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Dept., brought the spirit of alternative delivery to its “Big I” project in Albuquerque. Although legislation for alternative delivery did not yet exist, the principles of owner-designer-contractor partnership enabled the $289 million reconstruction of a convergence of Interstates 41 and 25 in just 24 months. The I-25 Improved is the agency’s largest project since the Big I and the largest design-build effort of three in its history, Quintana says.
“We were the first local contractor to get this design-build work from NMDOT,” says Patrick Shaw, vice president of operations for AUI Inc., the contractor. “It’s been a great experience. We’ve worked with NMDOT for quite some time, partnering even before construction design.”
Michael Worrall, senior program management procurement engineer at Horrocks, who works with AECOM and AUI, adds: “Our role started long before construction started. We’ve been working as an augmentation to DOT staff. We’ve been working as one team to deliver the project.”
The project to improve Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard will continue through 2027.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
Mike Moehn, vice president of Fisher Sand & Gravel, says the contractor is currently working on four or five different projects with NMDOT, including the $30 million Raton Pass.
“It’s really a partnership between the contracting community and NMDOT, from the legislative process to the bidding work and the construction and completion of the work,” he says. “We’ve never had an issue with them that we couldn’t work on a low level, or if we have to escalate it, it’s resolved pretty quickly. It’s attractive to work with a DOT like that.”
As the design of the 285/NM 31 interchange progressed, Stantec encountered conflicts regarding a gas line and a nearby project, Contreras-Apodaca recalls. “Ultimately, all of this required a realignment in NMDOT management at the end of our design. Thanks to the communicative nature of our partnership, we were able to make the necessary changes with minimal disruption, and they were quick to accommodate the changes. Their responsiveness and willingness to take ownership of the redesigns helped the project move forward,” he says.
NMDOT’s rail program includes upgrading grade crossings.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
Evolving from within
The agency was renamed in 2003 to reflect its broader transport role. “Many DOTs used to be highway departments,” notes David Harris, executive director of modal programs. “Then there was an evolution towards [truly multimodal] transport departments”.
NMDOT’s evolution is reflected in its 20-year state rail plan. This year, the agency completed the first four years of that plan, intending to spend $283.1 million on grade separation projects such as:
- Gallupwith $44.89 million in Federal Railroad Administration funding and a start date to be determined.
- Texaswith $73 million in FRA funding planned for 2030 in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation.
- Santa Teresawith $37 million in FRA funding. The design is now underway.
- Clovis. The FRA awarded $1 million for the design of the project, which is now underway.
- Farmington Freight Rail Link. NMDOT continues to plan a proposed new freight rail link connecting Farmington to the national rail network.
Expanding commuter service is one of NMDOT’s long-term goals.
Photo courtesy of NMDOT
“We’re going to look at expanding the Rail Runner frequency and ways that Amtrak service can be increased,” Harris says, noting that the state has a “huge freight network, given how rural we are and 100 miles of commuter rail.”
Quintana adds, “We’re starting to go down the path of digital delivery,” with the goal of addressing infrastructure lifecycles. The agency also has about $4.5 million in funding for Vision Zero pedestrian safety goals and is incorporating Envision principles for resiliency and sustainability goals.
