44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION AND THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO CONSIDER MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES HIGHWAY 64/87 A PRIORITY.

WHEREAS, United States highway 64/87 is a vital link between the cities of Raton and Clayton in northeastern New Mexico, moving people and merchandise with an annual average daily traffic count of more than three thousand one hundred vehicles in 1996; and

WHEREAS, the annual average daily traffic count is projected to increase to nearly eight thousand four hundred in the year 2016, the second highest traffic count among two-lane roads under consideration for widening to four lanes; and

WHEREAS, United States highway 64/87 ferries tourists from Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado to and through northeastern New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the number of motor vehicle crashes along the rural highway is high, averaging nearly forty-five crashes each year between 1993 and 1996, and increasing dramatically in 1997 to seventy crashes and to more than thirty through most of 1998; and

WHEREAS, these crashes resulting in death, personal injury and serious property damage also impact the family members, friends and businesses of the victims; and

WHEREAS, there is little doubt that the number of crashes would be reduced and the highway made much safer if it were widened to four lanes; and

WHEREAS, widening United States highway 64/87 to four lanes and other improvements to the highway are not scheduled to be made in the foreseeable future;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway commission and the state highway and transportation department be requested to consider making the improvements to United States highway 64/87 a priority; and

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