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

REQUESTING THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION AND THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT TO PRIORITIZE AND COMPLETE THE FOUR-LANING OF UNITED STATES ROUTE 666.

WHEREAS, United States route 666 begins in New Mexico in Gallup, runs north to Shiprock and continues to cross the state line into Colorado; and

WHEREAS, from, New Mexico highway 264 to a point five miles south of Shiprock, United States route 666 is a two-lane road and has been known as the "nation's deadliest highway"; and

WHEREAS, the traffic on United States route 666 is heavy and moves at speeds of sixty to eighty-five miles per hour and even higher; and

WHEREAS, at times the line of traffic extends for many miles in both directions, passing is impossible and the congestion makes the road very dangerous for travelers; and

WHEREAS, four-laning the highway would relieve congestion and greatly improve the safety of travelers on that route;

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 make four-laning of United States route 666 a priority of the state and complete the construction of four lanes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the safety of the people living near United States route 666 and those traveling on that road be considered and that the road be improved and made safer by four-laning it; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state highway commission, the state highway and transportation department and the president of the Navajo Nation.