The New Mexico Rail Runner commuter operation has been awarded a $22.4 million grant from the Department of Transportation’s RAISE program for a new maintenance facility. This grant is part of a series of awards announced by the New Mexico congressional delegation, including funds for three grade-crossing projects, two highway projects, two tribal transportation awards, and a project to address grade crossings in Gallup, N.M. The Rio Metro Regional Transit District will use the funds to build the new Express Operations and Maintenance Facility project for servicing locomotives and railcars.
The Reconnecting Communities grant will provide $2 million to the city of Gallup for planning to eliminate grade crossings on BNSF’s main line through downtown. These projects aim to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, improve rail systems, and strengthen connections between communities. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján highlighted the importance of these investments in creating a more efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation network for New Mexico’s future.
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