Jobs, Economic Opportunity, And More - Heinrich Touts Major Airport, Highway, Bridge Infrastructure Investments For New Mexico During Visit To Los Lunas, Belen
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering $3.7 billion to New Mexico through formula funding alone, with additional competitive funding heading to the state through grant programs
WASHINGTON (Jan. 18, 2022) – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visited with local officials and business leaders to highlight how historic investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are creating jobs and economic opportunity while positively impacting New Mexico airports, roads, and bridges.
PHOTOS: Heinrich Touts Major Airport, Highway, Bridge Infrastructure Investments For New Mexico
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is already investing $18 million in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects at airports across New Mexico.
Senator Heinrich visited Belen Regional Airport today to highlight how New Mexico airports will receive $90 million through formula funding for infrastructure development for airports over the next five years.
“Local airports connect communities all across New Mexico to tourism, business opportunities, and commercial aviation,” said Heinrich. “These historic investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will modernize our airports and allow them to better serve travelers, health care providers, and businesses all across our state.”
Senator Heinrich fought for these historic airport investments as well as monumental relief funding in the American Rescue Plan that have allowed New Mexico airports to recover, rebuild, and focus on job and economic opportunities.
Senator Heinrich also visited the site of the new I-25 offramp in Los Lunas, a project that he helped secure $25 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This federal funding is the result of a multi-year effort by Senator Heinrich that is being used to design and construct a new interchange on I-25 at Morris Road, a river crossing, four signalized intersections, and approximately four miles of four-lane highway. Los Lunas has experienced heavy commuter traffic and this interchange will work to relieve congestion caused by traffic, railway crossings, and construction.
During his visit, Senator Heinrich highlighted that more New Mexico projects are going to see the same type of progress through the Infrastructure Law. In December 2021, Senator Heinrich announced that, based on formula funding alone, New Mexico is expecting to receive approximately $2.8 billion over five years in federal highway formula funding authorized by this new law. On an average annual basis, this is about 29.7% more than the State’s Federal-aid highway formula funding under current law. This funding will help to create good-paying jobs and improve roads and bridges across the state.
“Transportation infrastructure is what connects us all and is fundamental to a thriving economy,” said Heinrich. “These substantial transportation investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will have real-life impacts on New Mexicans, including new jobs, safer roads, and better public transportation.”
New Mexico is also set to receive a total of $225 million over five years as part of the largest bridge formula program in American history. New Mexico will receive $45 million for Fiscal Year 2022 under the new program to address highway bridge needs. The funding is available to improve the condition of 207 bridges in poor condition across the state.
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