SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 61

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

John Pinto

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO IDENTIFY FUNDS AND DEDICATE THOSE FUNDS TO FINISHING UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 491 SOON.

     WHEREAS, last year, New Mexico made a generous contribution to finishing United States highway 491, which runs from Gallup to Shiprock; and

     WHEREAS, the highway is the primary artery for travel through many of the chapters of the Navajo Nation and the only primary highway for those going from Gallup to the Four Corners area; and

     WHEREAS, the highway has been used for transport of uranium and, therefore, may have high concentrations of radioactive residue along its shoulders, even though the highway is probably used for more pedestrian traffic than anywhere else in the state; and

     WHEREAS, the Navajo Nation has dedicated sizeable amounts of money for completion of the highway; and

     WHEREAS, managing to piece together funding for construction of the highway has been a difficult and complicated process, especially because easements and rights of way are held by many separate people, as well as by states, tribes and the federal government; and

     WHEREAS, finding and dedicating the funding is especially important because the highway remains only two lanes wide in places, even though it carries heavy and slow truck traffic across the state; and

     WHEREAS, through dedication and persistence, New Mexico and the Navajo Nation have approximately one-third of the funding needed to broaden the highway to four lanes, though funding for two-thirds of the construction and paving has not yet been identified;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be encouraged to help identify funds that can be used to complete the United States highway 491 project; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional delegation be urged to stay in close touch with legislative leadership so that a funding strategy can be developed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional delegation be assured that the legislature is prepared to help in the efforts to find funding for completion of the United States highway 491 project; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to all members of New Mexico's congressional delegation, to the president and speaker of the council of the Navajo Nation, to the secretary of transportation, to members of the state transportation commission, to the governor and to the members of the New Mexico legislative council.

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