http://youtu.be/C1JapScH2dk
Claude Morelli, Project Manager for the Department of Transportation’s statewide plan says the plan focuses on how they are going to manage roads when dealing with diminishing funds.
“We have to maintain our assests in a state of good repair,” Morelli said. “We’ve got 30,000 lane miles and hundreds of bridges and culverts and things of that sort. We own signs, and fences, and sidewalks and bike paths and so on, we have to maintain them in a state of good repair. Our money is diminishing. It’s not adjusted for inflation, our revenue stream, so every year it get’s a little less valuable, so we just have to live within our means, and do as good a job as we can managing what we own, that’s key.”
Michael McAdams works with the Mesilla Valley MPO, and was one of just 4 people who attended the public meeting in Las Cruces. He says focusing on asset management is the smartest plan for the state.
“I think everybody in the state, Dona Ana County, and the City of Las Cruces would agree that we can’t have bridges falling apart,” McAdams said. “We can’t have roads fall apart. We have many more needs for our existing roads, potholes, sidewalks, etc. that need to be attained before we build new roads.”
George Pearson was also at the meeting, he says he is happy the plan is addressing other means of transportation such as bike paths.
“My emphasis is multi-modal,” Pearson said. “And the vision statement itself really covers that. So, it’s good that the state is changing from the state highway department to the state transportation department, and addressing all the multi-modal needs.”
Morelli says he knows people around the state have changing transportation needs, and they are working on a bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian plan for the state.
“We have to address other modes of transportation,” Morelli said. “That’s something of a challenge for us given the limited money we have available. People would like more transit service, or bike paths, whatever it is, and there just isn’t money to do it. So, we just have to live within our means and do the best we can.”
If you would like to see the plan, or comment on it you can visit newmexicotransportationplan.com.
