Eddy County sought $300 million for infrastructure projects.
Four road projects included in Eddy County’s Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) would cost $200 million. Those projects would be executed from 2023 through 2027, read a document submitted to Eddy County’s Board of County Commissioners by Steve McCroskey, Eddy County Community Services assistant director.
The largest project on the list is intersection improvements to New Mexico State Road 31 and United States Highway 285.
Eddy County asked for $70 million in total from 2023 through 2025. Since 2019, Eddy County secured $4.2 million for the project near Loving.
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The County sought $45 million for work on the Southeast Loop Road near Carlsbad. Since 2014, Eddy County acquired $5.1 million in funds for that project.
Eddy County Public Works Director Jason Burns said work on the Southeast Loop Road was ongoing.
“That one is progressing along very well,” he said.
Burns was focused on funding for a Southwest Loop Road near Carlsbad. Per the ICIP, a total of $60 million was requested for phase one from the 2023 fiscal year through the 2025 fiscal year.
“We’re anticipating breaking ground on that this month,” he said.
Another $25 million was requested from fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2026, the ICIP document indicated.
Phase one of the Southwest Loop Road starts at New Mexico State Road 524 and ends at United States Highway 62/180. Phase two extends from U.S. 62/180 and ends at United States Highway 285.
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Burns said Public Works requested nearly $3 million for an east side crossing over the Pecos River.
“We’re going to look at trying to find a river crossing on the Pecos somewhere near that eastern corridor connecting somewhere on Grandi Road and the Southeast Loop,” he said.
“We’re looking at that to see what our challenges will be with that project and even if its plausible,” Burns said.
Money for the proposed crossing was for fiscal year 2023.
Burns said a new item on the ICIP list was a bridge at Boyd Drive and Hidalgo Road. There is some unfinished business.
“That was a project I started when I was at the City of Carlsbad several years ago,” he said.
At the time, according to Burns, a preliminary engineering plan was drawn along with Eddy County.
“I’m thrilled to continue this effort and the City has just submitted for federal funding to assist with the progress of that project,” he said.
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Eddy County Manager Allen Davis said the ICIP is submitted to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and is referenced by New Mexico legislators when considering opportunities for larger projects.
“The last couple of years we have worked to refine the information on this list. The cost, timing profiles. It is an important factor in the Finance Committee and other State Legislative efforts,” he said.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.Â
