N.M. Congressional Democrats Announce $73.5 Million In Infrastructure Investments To Modernize, Expand Public Transit

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced $73,508,702 in investments from the Infrastructure Law to enable transit agencies to modernize and expand services for New Mexicans in communities large and small.

The funding will be administered through the Federal Transit Agency (FTA). The total for New Mexico includes $40,373,018 for Albuquerque as part of FTA’s Urban, Rural, Bus and Enhanced Mobility Formula program.

“Whether you’re heading out to a doctor’s visit, to school, or your next shift, public transit can serve as an affordable option for New Mexicans to reach more parts of their community. Increasing access to reliable public transportation also means fewer cars on the road and less carbon emissions,” said Heinrich, member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. “The historic investments we secured in the Infrastructure Law are making it easier for New Mexicans to live their lives. I look forward to the jobs this funding will create as we improve our state’s transit systems.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making incredible investments to address the critical infrastructure needs that New Mexicans face every day,” said Senator Lujan, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “In New Mexico and across the country, too many drivers are burdened with increased commute times and costly damages from driving on roads and bridges in need of repair. That’s why I was proud to work with Senator Heinrich to secure a transformational investment of more than $73 million to shorten commute times, develop safer roads, connect rural communities, and repair bridges to improve the lives and safety of all New Mexicans traveling throughout the state.”

“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is already delivering for New Mexico—with the largest investment in public transit in our history—and over $40 million in funding to New Mexico’s First Congressional District just this year,” said Stansbury. “This funding will modernize transportation across New Mexico to connect our communities, create good-paying jobs, and build our clean energy future. We are working hard with our Governor, Mayors, and local leaders to get this funding out the door to our communities.”

“We continue to see the impacts of the life-changing provisions from the Infrastructure Law for our gente. These investments in New Mexico’s public transit system will provide good-paying jobs and repairs to our decaying infrastructure,” said Leger Fernández. “This funding will solve decades-long problems and modernize our transportation system to reduce commute times and improve the safety of our communities.”

Full-year funding is available following Congressional passage of an FY 2022 appropriations bill in March. The new tables released today reflect funding increases authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, allowing thousands of transit agencies to buy new no or low emission buses, railcars, address their repair backlogs, electrify their fleets, and transition to new technologies to address the climate crisis. These upgrades will support the expansion of U.S. manufacturing due to Buy America requirements that apply to steel, iron and other materials used in public transportation projects that receive federal assistance.

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