This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.

I-10/I-25 Roadway Memorial Interchange Dedication

“In memory of SFC Antonio Rey ‘Rod’ Rodriguez”

LAS CRUCES – Saturday, May 20, 2023, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), distinguished guests and community members held the official dedication of Interstate 10 Eastbound from milepost 143.69 to milepost 145.43, Interstate 10 Westbound from milepost 145.43 to milepost 143.69, and Interstate 25 from milepost 0 to milepost 0.19 in Doña Ana County (I-10/I-25 Interchange), as the “SFC Antonio Rey ‘ROD” Rodriguez Memorial Interchange.  

Guadalupe Rodriguez Jaramillo, President of the SFC Antonio Rey “ROD” Rodriguez foundation, met with Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales and executive staff members of the NMDOT to formally request, on behalf of the foundation, the dedication of the I-10/I-25 Interchange in memory of United States Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Antonio Rey ‘ROD” Rodriguez.

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T or C Construction Update: Water Outage Rescheduled Wednesday, May 24, 2023

5/24/2023 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. - will affect some businesses and organizations

Update as of Friday, May 19, 2023

NOTE: All construction is weather permitting and is subject to changes without notice.

Crews will relocate a section of water line to continue work on an 8-inch sanitary sewer line. During this work, scheduled Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 3:30-8:30 p.m., the water will be shut off.

Affected businesses and organizations include:

  • Sierra Vista Hospital and Rural Health Clinic
  • Hot Springs High School
  • Truth or Consequences Middle School
  • Shell Gas Station
  • Lakeway Shopping Center, including Organtica Truth or Consequences, Subway, World Finance, Dollar General, Gila National Forest, Black Range District Office, Metro by T-Mobile and Truth Smoke Shop & Vape

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Heinrich, Grijalva Introduce Legislation to Modernize Antiquated Mining Law

Legislation comes as demand grows for critical minerals necessary for the transition to a clean energy future

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, introduced House and Senate versions of the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act to modernize the nation’s severely antiquated Mining Law of 1872. The bills will address major environmental justice concerns, protect the environment, and ensure a fair return for the American people.

"We cannot go all in on a clean energy future with a 19th century mining policy on the books. This antiquated law has become a driving force behind centuries of legacy mining pollution that is leaking toxic heavy metals and acid mine drainage into streams and rivers all across the West,” said Heinrich. 

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Heinrich Announces Legislation to Improve Electric Transmission Planning

The Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act will help build a more reliable and robust 21st century energy infrastructure

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced legislation to jump start the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) interregional transmission planning process.

“If we want to confront the climate crisis and make our electric grid more resilient and reliable, we need to be thinking across regions,” said Heinrich. “This bill will direct FERC to formalize an interregional planning process. It will be key to modernizing our electric grid in a way that creates good-paying jobs and helps us transition to a clean energy future.”

The bill, first introduced by Senator Heinrich in 2019, directs FERC to create an interregional transmission planning process and ensure that cost allocation methodologies consider economic, reliability, and operational benefits. The bill directs FERC to promulgate a final rule within 18 months of enactment.

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NMDOT Traffic Report for week of May 21 to 28, 2023. 

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.  

Interstates: 

Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C 

La Calerita Construction, LLC. (Contractor) construction, Phase 3 is expected to last about 4 (four) months, through September 2023, the following traffic impacts will be in place:

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Construction Update: Northbound I-25 On-Ramp at Exit 75

Will Be Closed for Two Months Beginning Monday, May 22; Southbound Off-Ramp and Part of  Broadway Street Remain Closed

Update as of May 19, 2023

NOTE: All construction is weather permitting and is subject to changes without notice.

Beginning Monday, May 22, 2023, crews will close the I-25 northbound on-ramp at Exit 75so they can install curb and gutter. This closure is expected to last about two (2) months, through late July. 

The following traffic impacts will also remain in place:

  • The southbound I-25 on-ramp and off-ramp at Exit 75 will remain closed
  • Broadway Street will remain closed west of NM 187

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I-25 San Antonio Interchange Study and Public Comment

We want to hear from you!

SOCORRO – The New Mexico Department of Transportation held its 2nd virtual public involvement meeting to introduce improvement alternatives that have been identified and evaluated with the I-25 San Antonio Interchange Study in Socorro County, NM. If you missed the meeting, it’s not too late!

What will this study consider?

The objective of the study is to evaluate the I-25 San Antonio Interchange, which is approximately 0.5 miles west of San Antonio, New Mexico between Mileposts 139 and 140. The interchange at I-25 connects with US 380, which is the main road into the nearby community of San Antonio. The study will address safety concerns, document existing roadway geometry, drainage structures, bridge structures, and access control. The study team will identify areas of concern, seek public and stakeholder feedback, and develop improvement alternatives.  

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Heinrich Welcomes Major Permitting Milestone for SunZia Transmission Line

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Electrification Caucus, is welcoming the release of a Record of Decision on the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project.

“SunZia will have a massive economic impact in New Mexico. Once it’s completed, New Mexico will be the largest producer of wind power in the Western Hemisphere. This project will put our state on the map as the place to build large-scale renewable generation projects and transmission infrastructure. It will also bring us one huge step closer to meeting our ambitious and urgent climate goals, while creating thousands of good-paying jobs along the way.

“Over the last decade and a half, I’ve fought for this project as it’s hit a series of obstacles. It was worth the fight to deliver the transformative economic impact of this project for our rural communities. Our work to engage with local communities, private landholders, and stakeholders to secure strong community economic benefit and environmental stewardship commitments from SunZia’s developer, Pattern Energy, was an important piece of this process. But the permitting should never have taken this long.

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