Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Nearly $60 Million in Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Critical U.S. 64 Corridor Repairs, Improvements In Shiprock

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming $59.8 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a U.S. 64 corridor improvement and repair project running through Shiprock, N.M. The funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law backed by the New Mexico Congressional Delegation.

 

Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández sent a letter of support for this federal investment to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in August. 

 

“This major federal investment will help us make vital safety improvements on the roads and bridges that thousands of Shiprock residents rely on to access health care, education, and economic opportunities,” said Heinrich. “These roads are badly in need of repair. Thanks to the historic investments that President Biden and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation delivered through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are finally getting this done.” 

 

“Since its passage, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered strong investments in New Mexico's infrastructure – improving public safety and creating new jobs,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome nearly $60 million to improve U.S. 64 for Navajo communities who use this road daily. This investment will improve travel and create safer conditions for rural and Tribal communities in northwest New Mexico.” 

 

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver funds to make sure New Mexicans have safe, reliable roads and infrastructure,” said Leger Fernández. “I’m glad the Department of Transportation listened to the New Mexico Congressional Delegation when we asked for the necessary funds to repair Route 64 — a route the Shiprock community relies on every day and had been in dire need for repairs.” 

 

The project will widen and rehabilitate approximately 21 miles of the U.S. 64 Corridor in northwest New Mexico through local Navajo communities. Rehabilitation will include: twelve-foot lanes in each direction, outside rumble strips, five- to eight-foot paved shoulders, and improved bus pull-outs. 

 

The New Mexico Department of Transportation will also install additional safety elements around the Navajo Nation Chapter houses including improved lighting, pedestrian crossing, and turn lanes. The project will also include the replacement of four bridges, twenty-five foot-long multi-plate structures, fiber optic and cabling installation, and approximately fifty corrugated metal culverts along the corridor. 

This funding comes in addition to the $25 million of federal grant funding that the New Mexico Congressional Delegation announced in 2021 to support the same U.S. 64 corridor improvement and repair project in the Shiprock area.