Senator Jeff Bingaman: New Mexico Benefits from Nearly $5 Million in Transportation Grants

Funds Will Benefit Santa Fe, Four Corners Region, and Moriarty Residents

May 29, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that New Mexico will benefit from more than $4.7 million in U.S. Department of Transportation funding.

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The Mid-Region Council of Governments will receive $1.08 million Bingaman secured to construct a new ‘park and ride’ location at the intersection of I-25 and New Mexico 599.

“The Rail Runner is proving to be a great, new form of public transportation. This federal funding will invest in a ‘park and ride’ area that will make it more convenient for northern New Mexicans to access it,” Bingaman said.

Bingaman secured this funding through the fiscal year 2008 Federal Transit Authority, an agency within the U.S. DOT.

Bingaman also reported that DOT is releasing $1.82 million through the Federal Aviation Administration to the Four Corners Regional Airport to expand its Aircraft, Rescue and Fire Fighting Building, and to rehabilitate the runway and parking lot.

Additionally, Moriarty Airport will receive $1.9 million from FAA to rehabilitate a runway.

“Airport upgrades are essential to keeping air travelers safe, but they are too costly for communities to take on themselves,” Bingaman said. “I’m very glad FAA is making this critical investment in our state’s airports."

Source: Senator Jeff Bingaman