Dona Ana County officials are getting ready to launch the bidding process to improve the southern road that leads to Spaceport America.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports bidding on the first phase of the roughly 24-mile-long road could begin within the next month.
The timing hinges on the Bureau of Land Management. The federal agency is reviewing construction plans as well as a study on cultural and other important sites in the area.
If the agency doesn't accept the plans, that could mean further delays and more costs for the proposed road.
Many backers of the taxpayer-funded spaceport have said a paved southern route is crucial for county residents and businesses to benefit economically from the spaceport.
Still, county officials say there's not enough money in the current budget for a fully-paved road.
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Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News.
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