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.166453.1

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 23

48

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE

FEASIBILITY OF WIDENING UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 285 TO FOUR LANES

TO RELIEVE TRUCK TRAFFIC THROUGH TAOS.

WHEREAS, truck traffic through Taos has contributed to

significant slowdowns in traffic movement; and

WHEREAS, through-traffic clogs the town's narrow streets

and contributes to pavement deterioration and maintenance

expenses; and

WHEREAS, a significant part of the traffic through the

center of Taos consists of vehicles with destinations north or

south of Taos and is not local traffic; and

WHEREAS, United States highway 285 is an alternative route

for through-traffic, but because it, too, is only two lanes,

this traffic may choose a more direct route between Santa Fe

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.166453.1

and Fort Garland, Colorado; and

WHEREAS, a speedier, four-lane highway might alleviate

some of Taos' traffic congestion and save the town money in

infrastructure costs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be

requested to study the feasibility of expanding United States

highway 285 to four lanes from Espanola to the Colorado border

and that it make its recommendations to the second session of

the forty-eighth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of transportation.

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