TRANSPORTATION, NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF

The New Mexico Department of Transportation invested the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for Rural Transit Capital Assistance in the amount of $12,255,602 for 28 sub-grantees in 23 counties (Colfax, Valencia, Eddy, Curry, Rio Arriba, Union, Grant, Chavez, Lea, San Miguel, Los Alamos, Roosevelt, Taos, Socorro, Sierra, Sandoval, Torrance, Cibola, Mora, McKinley, Otero, Santa Fe, and Bernalillo), including 4 tribal governments. No funds from this grant were expended on State administration, and as per the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, no local match was required. Seventy-one transit vehicles were funded under this grant totaling $5,370,440. Thirty-nine transit vehicles were for replacement of older transit vehicles, of which 26 vehicles are 15-passenger buses, 11 vehicles are 15-passenger vans, and two vehicles are 40-foot buses. Thirty-two transit vehicles are for expanded or new service, of which 15 vehicles are 15-passenger buses, 13 vehicles are 15-passenger vans, three vehicles are eight-passenger vans, and one vehicle is a 40-foot bus. There is an expected useful life of four years for vans, five years for buses, and 12 years for large buses. These buses will meet the Clean Air Act standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. New Mexico’s rural transit agencies are able to operate and maintain these vehicles. These grant activities are a categorical exclusion under National Environmental Policy Act. Transit facilities were funded under this grant, as well. This project used $2,240,000 of funds for construction of a new transit facility and rail station on the Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo. Also, $1,041,253 was used to rehabilitate transit facilities in the City of Clovis, City of Carlsbad, and Union Counties (landscaping, concrete flooring, paving, fencing and art work on building). For the Pueblo of Laguna, a transit bus and van garage were constructed at their existing bus facility for vehicle parking. North Central Transit District used $2,000,000 to purchase land and rehabilitate a building to become a new transit facility. Funds from this grant were also utilized to purchase transit-related equipment. This project used $1,603,909 to purchase signage, passenger shelters, benches, computer, bus shelters, radios, Global Positioning System equipment and security systems for New Mexico’s rural transit systems.

Clarification of Codes