New Mexico recently announced $25 million in state funding for the expansion and improvement of 38 miles of US 180 from Silver City to Deming.
The $143.5 million project will be built in three phases and is expected in significantly improve safety and efficiency.
The $25 million will be used for a stretch between Bayard and Hurley and to improve the Hurley railroad crossing.
The stretch is the only shipping corridor connecting to Interstate 10. It is used for the transportation of goods, materials, supplies and equipment to the Chino Copper Mine and for accessing numerous recreational locations including Gila National Forest and City of Rocks State Park.
“Plans to expand this highway have been in the works since the 1990s, but the people of Grant and Luna counties deserve more than plans,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a stop Thursday during her summer-long infrastructure tour. “We are making this project a reality, making this highway safer for residents, tourists, first responders and workers and unlocking economic potential along the way.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation granted the state an additional $25 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant toward the project.
Phase one is scheduled to begin next summer.