SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 29

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

John Pinto

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY LOAD RATINGS OF BRIDGES IN MCKINLEY COUNTY AND COSTS TO PROVIDE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO BRIDGES THAT ARE NOT LOAD RATED FOR STANDARD-SIZED SCHOOL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's extensive system of roads, highways and bridges provides the state's residents, visitors and businesses with a high level of mobility; and

     WHEREAS, this transportation system forms the backbone that supports the state's economy; and

     WHEREAS, as New Mexico looks to achieve further economic growth, the state will need to maintain and modernize its roads, highways and bridges by improving the physical condition of the transportation network; and

     WHEREAS, seven percent of New Mexico's bridges were rated structurally deficient in 2014, according to a national transportation research group study; and

     WHEREAS, a bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components; and

     WHEREAS, structurally deficient bridges are often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or redirecting larger vehicles, including commercial trucks, school buses and emergency vehicles; and

     WHEREAS, there are concerns that structural deficiencies of bridges in McKinley county create hazards and impact the safety of drivers and passengers; and

     WHEREAS, a study of load ratings of McKinley county bridges and of costs to provide improvements to deficient bridges would assist in determining and prioritizing needed bridge repairs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to convene a task force to study load ratings of bridges in McKinley county and the costs for improvements to bridges that are not load rated for standard-sized school buses and emergency vehicles; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include the secretary of transportation, the district engineer of the department of transportation and representatives from the McKinley county board of commissioners and affected tribal governments; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations for improvements to bridges in McKinley county that are not load rated for standard-sized school buses and emergency vehicles to the appropriate interim committee that studies transportation infrastructure issues and the legislative finance committee by November 1, 2015; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation, the district engineer of the department of transportation, the McKinley county board of commissioners, representatives of affected tribal governments, the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the chair of the legislative finance committee.

- 3 -