Non-Local News Releases

Grants support fire-damaged trail restoration, infrastructure upgrades, and youth conservation projects across New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Economic Development Department's (EDD) Outdoor Recreation Division (ORD) is pleased to announce $4.3M in Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant awards to 16 recipients across 10 counties. The Trails+ Grant program supports the design, construction, and maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure throughout the state.

"We're extremely proud to support projects that enhance the safety, accessibility, and sustainability of outdoor recreation across New Mexico," EDD Secretary-Designate Rob Black said. "This round of grants will restore over 350 miles of fire-damaged trails, supporting the recovery of New Mexico's forests and increasing access to these wild and vital spaces."

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – November 16, 2024 – Fire crews for the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) have successfully completed a total of 12 acres of pile burning with yesterday and today's prescribe fire (Rx) ignitions within the 34 acres of the previously announced Sulphur Rx Fire Piles on the Sandia Ranger District. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the Sulphur Rx Fire Piles as a winter weather system is expected to come into the area tomorrow afternoon.

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates:
I-25 Business Loop ADA Improvements, Williamsburg to T or C
A Mountain Construction, (Contractor) will be continuing the ADA ramps along the I-25 Business Loop on Date Street, Broadway and Main Street. Drivers should anticipate occasional closures of shoulders and side streets to facilitate the removal and replacement of concrete at specific intersections. The contractor will operate from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. This phase of construction is expected to take three months to complete and is subject to weather conditions. Paving operations will commence mid to late December. Further details on this phase will be provided closer to the start of construction.

US 70 & US 380 Roadblocks

LAS CRUCES, SAN ANTONIO - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) posted an alert for Monday, November 18, 2024.

US 70 will be blocked one time beginning at 6:40 a.m. and lasting approximately 1 hour. This block will be located at Red Block (top of San. Augustin Pass, mile marker 164) and Yellow Block (White Sands National Park, mile marker 200). Las Cruces Gate, Nike Ave, and Owen Road will also be impacted by this block.

LAS CRUCES, NM – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) held a live competitive auction for a 937.5-acre parcel for lease in the Afton Solar Energy Zone in Doña Ana County. Boulevard Associates, LLC was the successful bidder with a final bid of $1,900,000.

Their next step will be to submit a Plan of Development within two years of lease issuance. Boulevard Associates, LLC may not construct any facilities on the right-of-way until the BLM issues a notice to proceed or other written form of approval to begin surface disturbing activities.

SANTA FE - The New Mexico State Parks Division is announcing that Fenton Lake is currently closed to boating due to dangerously thin ice on the water's surface. These unsafe ice conditions prevent the operation of watercraft, and the closure will remain in effect until the ice thickens to a safe level.

In addition to the suspension of boating, the park also remains closed to ice fishing, as the ice thickness does not meet safety standards for this activity. Visitors are strongly advised to stay off the ice and exercise caution near the lake's edge.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – November 14, 2024 – Fire management for the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) did not proceed on ignitions today on the previously announced Sulphur prescribed fire (Rx) Piles on the Sandia Ranger District after test fire resulted in unfavorable conditions for continued burn operations.

Fire managers will continue to assess conditions in the coming days to ensure they fall within the range outlined in the prescribed fire plan before proceeding with operations on the Sulphur Rx fire piles. A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. If conditions are not met, the decision will be made to postpone until favorable conditions allow for successful operations.
The Sulphur Rx fire piles burn area is in the Sandia east mountains, north of I-40, west of NM-14 and south of NM-536. See map attached.

SANTA FE – The State Transportation Commission Meeting will be held November 21, 2024, at the Socorro Convention Center and is hosted by NMDOT District One. The meeting begins promptly at 8:30 a.m., and is located at 1220 US 60, Socorro, NM.

The State Transportation Commission is comprised of six commissioners, each appointed by the governor to represent a NMDOT district. The commission meets six times annually and holds one meeting in each of the six districts. The commission sets department policy and oversees the use of the State Road Fund. As an oversight group, each of the commissioners bring unique private industry experiences providing department managers with insight and expertise for the betterment of New Mexico's transportation system.