NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has contracted with two private companies to clean up state roadsides.
The companies simultaneously began Monday tackling the highly visible, heavily traveled stretch of I-25 from La Bajada south of Santa Fe to Los Lunas, south of Albuquerque. A separate company will work in five-mile increments on the stretch of I-25 from the Texas border, north past the city of Las Cruces.
The private contacts are paid with the $10 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds approved by the state legislature for roadside beautification.
“This has been a long-time coming,” State Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval said. “We know New Mexicans and out of state visitors are sick of the roadside litter plaguing our state. I can assure you, the NMDOT shares the same sentiment. That’s why we are excited for our maintenance employees to receive support with their continued litter efforts.”
Litter and debris accumulated quickly during COVID due to people becoming lackadaisical with proper litter disposal, fewer NMDOT maintenance workers, correctional facility lockdowns, competition with local government agencies for inmate labor and lack of correctional officers to oversee the program.
The department is excited to renew its partnership and contract once again with the New Mexico Corrections Department (NMCD). This second litter program will begin this summer, paid through state funding.
The third litter program headed by the department will also be paid through ARPA funds and will begin by summer’s end. This program allows another private company to hire temporary workers at the cost of $15-$20/per hour to work in groups of 2 to 3 with an NMDOT supervisor overseeing the employees.
The NMDOT takes litter seriously, visit www.tossnomassnm.com for more information. If you are hauling a trash, debris, or a miscellaneous load, remember to tie it, tarp it and pick it up. Dropping trash or litter on the road is a $300 fine in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of the traveling public and appreciates your cooperation during this work. For the latest road information visit: The New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511.