REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LOHMAN-INTERSTATE 25 EXCHANGE IN LAS CRUCES.

WHEREAS, Lohman avenue is the major east-west artery in the city of Las Cruces; and

WHEREAS, the city is working to continue the development and expansion of Lohman avenue east of its termination near interstate 25 to provide access to over eight thousand residents east of interstate 25 and the middle and elementary schools in that area with one thousand three hundred students; and

WHEREAS, continuation of Lohman avenue to the east will facilitate the development of land by the state land office, which will benefit the educational institutions of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the city has invested five million eight hundred thousand dollars ($5,800,000) in improvements and extensions of Lohman avenue; and

WHEREAS, continuing improvements to Lohman avenue are critical for improvements to the interstate 25-United States highway 70 interchange; and

WHEREAS, traffic has increased over fifty percent in the past ten years and accidents more than one hundred fifty percent in the same time;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department be requested to complete design and construction of the Lohman avenue extension and interstate interchange in Las Cruces; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of highway and transportation and the state highway commission members.