HM 35

Page 1

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A REVIEW OF THE STATE'S CURRENT AND FUTURE

TRANSPORTATION NEEDS TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE FUNDING

STRATEGIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

WHEREAS, the department of transportation has

experienced increased construction costs attributed to

inflation of materials, including fuel, steel, concrete,

asphalt and petroleum products that are used in highway

projects; and

WHEREAS, inflation of these same material costs affect

the ongoing maintenance efforts for the highway

infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, an additional three thousand new lane miles of

highway have been added to the state highway system in the

last two years; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the state are increasingly

dependent on alternative modes of public transportation; and

WHEREAS, federal funding for federal aid construction

projects is significantly less than anticipated; and

WHEREAS, the state road fund revenue is not growing at a

rate comparable to the cost of inflation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary

of transportation be requested to appoint a technical

HM 35

Page 2

committee whose members shall include representatives of the

department of transportation, New Mexico division of the

federal highway administration, associated contractors of New

Mexico, American council of engineering companies of New

Mexico, New Mexico passenger transportation association,

regional planning organizations, municipal planning

organizations and other transportation and aviation

associations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the technical committee be

requested to develop data and information regarding influences

on the future outlook of transportation in New Mexico and

alternative funding strategies to be available for use by

decision-makers to aid in addressing sustainable

transportation systems for New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of this study be

submitted to the governor and the legislature no later than

October 15, 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the governor, the secretary of transportation

and the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation.