SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 13

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE CONGESTION ON NEW MEXICO STATE HIGHWAY 602 BETWEEN THE CITY OF GALLUP AND THE JUNCTION WITH STATE HIGHWAY 53 AND REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL PASSING LANES ON STATE HIGHWAY 602 A PRIORITY.

     WHEREAS, the Zuni mountains and the Malpais lava fields pose geologic barriers and limit the potential highway routes between communities in McKinley and Cibola counties; and

     WHEREAS, state highway 602 between the city of Gallup and its junction with state highway 53 provides the only direct north-south connection between the city of Gallup, the Pueblo of Zuni, the Ramah Navajo chapter and other communities in western McKinley and Cibola counties; and

     WHEREAS, many residents of the communities along state highway 602 and state highway 53 work in the city of Gallup; and

     WHEREAS, state highway 602 is a school bus route for students within the Gallup-McKinley County school district; and

     WHEREAS, there is only one stretch of passing lane on state highway 602 between its junction with state highway 53 and the city of Gallup; and

     WHEREAS, traffic on state highway 602 is so heavily congested during the peak morning and evening commuting hours that residents of McKinley and Cibola counties often refer to the highway as "a parking lot";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to make it a priority to construct four additional passing lanes along state highway 602 between its junction with state highway 53 and the city of Gallup; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation.

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