Recent Activity 

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.

Project Videos