GRIP US 62 - Texas State Line to Carlsbad

NEWS: Congressman Teague, Transportation Officials Break Ground on U.S. 62/180 Stimulus Project near Carlsbad

 

U.S. 62/180 is a two-lane highway with no shoulders or passing lanes in need of rehabilitation.

 

A large amount of heavy truck traffic travels along the highway, which is also used by natural gas and oil exploration crews. The route is also a link to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is the most visited park in New Mexico.

 

Crews will reconstruct and add passing lanes to the two lanes of U.S. 62/180 between the Texas state line and Carlsbad. The five-phase project will increase the safety of the highway and help accommodate increased traffic on the route into the future. The improvements will also help facilitate economic development between New Mexico, Mexico and Texas.

 

Construction on the first phase of the project, from the Texas state line to Whites City began in June 2007. The estimated $22 million project includes roadway reconstruction of 15.34 miles. Crews also began work on two additional projects along this stretch of roadway. In March 2008 an estimated $8 million recontruction along nearly four miles from mile marker 26 to 29.6 began, and a $17.7 million reconstruction of 30 miles of highway began in December 2008.

 

In May 2009, crews began working on an additional phase of the project just south of Carlsbad. The estimated $16.5 million construction project was made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Work includes constructing two additional lanes from mile marker 16-26.

 

Traffic & Detours

Traffic is currently being re-routed to the newly constructed roadway to the east. During daily operations, motorists can expect occassional single-lane closures and short delays Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. For up-to-date traffic information visit www.nmroads.com or dial 511.