Recent Activity 

Los Lunas Secures Remaining $45 Million Needed

The Village of Los Lunas recently secured the remaining $45 million dollars needed to begin phase one construction of the much anticipated I-25 corridor and bridge project.  Local senators and representatives worked together to make this a priority within Valencia County, and were successful in securing 2023 Legislative funding with House Bill 2 funds, in the amount of $45 million. 

In addition to this year's HB 2 funds, Los Lunas also secured more than $10 million from HB 2 at the 2021 Legislative session for phase one of the project.  Other external funding sources include more than $53 million dollars from the 2021 New Mexico State Bond Project and $25 million dollars from the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the INFRA grant. The Village's portion of phase one of the project will include $5 million. 

Phase one will include construction of the full, four-lane bridge, a new four-lane I-25 interchange, two roadway lanes with one in each direction, and full NM 3-14 and NM 47 intersections.

With all of the funding now secured, the next step is to get all of the right-of-way secured and purchased by December.  After all needed right-of-way is secured, the Village will have the final design review with the New Mexico Department of Transportation in March of 2024.  

The Village aims to have the bidding process started in May 2024, have the bid awarded in July 2024, and hopefully have construction starting in September 2024.  

While funds for phase one are secured, the Village will continue to seek additional federal and state funds to complete phase two, which will consist of installing the two remaining roadway lanes, one in each direction, with a 10-foot bike and pedestrian trail on the north side of Los Lunas Blvd. 

Los Lunas Receives $25 million Grant For I-25 Interchange Construction

The much-anticipated Los Lunas/I-25 interchange construction project is one step closer to reality. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján announced $25 million in grant funding for the project from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Village of Los Lunas, through DOT’s INFRA grant program.

The funding will be used to design and construct a new interchange on I-25 at Morris Road, a river crossing, four signalized intersections, and approximately four miles of four-lane highway. Los Lunas has experienced heavy commuter traffic and this interchange will relieve congestion caused by traffic, railway crossings, and construction. 

Previously, the New Mexico Legislature in its 2021 session appropriated $15.2 million toward this project. The Interchange Access Change Request (IACR) is awaiting approval from the Federal Highway Administration, which is expected in June. Once approval is complete, the Village may begin purchasing the Right of Way to accommodate the expanded corridor and begin construction. 

The negotiations with property owners will be ongoing through the summer. 

The Village is proactively working to move this project forward.  Here are some recent updates:

• May 2019 - Washington DC congressional visit by representatives from the Village of Los Lunas Council and Valencia County Commission
• $10 million appropriated to this project through House Bill 2
•  $2 million earmarked for this project when Valencia County passed a Special General Obligation Bond Election on 8/21/18.
• $2.5 million authorized towards the project Village of Los Lunas Council approved Resolution #18-15.
• Currently developing the Interchange Access Change Request (IACR)
• Actively preserving the corridor ROW

The Challenge

The Village of Los Lunas evolved historically as a farming community and maintains great pride in its rural character. However, annexation and development over the last thirty years have changed the Village from a quiet, rural place into one of the fastest-growing municipalities in New Mexico. Currently, NM 6 (Main Street) is the only Interstate exit for Los Lunas and provides the only opportunity for the Village and County residents to cross the Rio Grande. Approximately 40% of vehicles that travel on NM 6 do not stop in Los Lunas.

The Solution

The need for a new I-25 interchange and east-west corridor is to improve traffic flow; access to high growth areas within the study area; and the efficiency of emergency response within the Village and surrounding areas. The resulting congestion adversely affects commuter travel; access to area businesses, schools and services located along NM 6; and the ability to respond quickly to emergency situations. EMS response times are a major factor in “life or death” situations. The Village has been very proactive in addressing this problem and has spent several million dollars over the last decade as the local lead on approximately eight different projects in an attempt to upgrade NMDOT intersection facilities on NM 6 in an effort to alleviate congestion concerns. Therefore, one of the Village’s top priorities is a new I-25 Interchange (with a new east-west arterial and river crossing) that would actually serve most of Valencia County.

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