A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STATE ROAD 4.

     WHEREAS, road improvement is a constant need throughout New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, there are limited roadways in Los Alamos county; and

     WHEREAS, state road 4 between Rover and the road's intersection with the truck route needs to be widened; and

     WHEREAS, this area of New Mexico has already experienced the need for improved roadways during the 2000 Cerro Grande fire, a disaster of epic proportions that demonstrated the need to evacuate residents and others and to move emergency personnel and equipment into the area as rapidly as possible; and

     WHEREAS, widening state road 4 will enable the residents and others in the city of White Rock to leave the area in the unfortunate event that another natural disaster or other public emergency requires population evacuation, and will also facilitate day-to-day transportation flow;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to provide funding for the widening of this critical roadway in Los Alamos county; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the department of transportation cannot provide funding in the near future, then this project should be added to the statewide transportation improvement program; and

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