Top story
Route 66: A road through history, a journey to America's 250th birthday
Together, the uniting forces of our communication and transportation systems are dynamic elements in the very name we bear—United States." —President Dwight D. Eisenhower
As America celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, few highways tell the nation's story quite like Route 66. More than just a road, Route 66 became a symbol of freedom, opportunity, innovation and adventure—values that have defined the American experience for nearly two and a half centuries. When Route 66 was established in 1926, the United States was a young nation still discovering itself. Stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, the highway connected communities, cultures and commerce across the heart of America. No state embraced the spirit of the Mother Road quite like New Mexico.
66 is the mother road, the road of flight." —The Grapes of Wrath
For generations, Route 66 carried dreamers, soldiers, tourists and families through New Mexico's landscapes. During the Great Depression, it served as a pathway west for those seeking new opportunities. During World War II, military personnel traveled its corridors. In the decades that followed, it fueled tourism, small businesses and the growth of iconic roadside communities from Tucumcari and Santa Rosa to Albuquerque and Gallup. What made Route 66 special was not simply where it went, but what it represented. It embodied the American belief that a better future could always be found just beyond the next horizon. Today, as America marks 250 years of independence, New Mexico's Route 66 reminds us that the nation's story is still being written. Historic neon signs continue to glow. Family-owned diners still welcome travelers. Tribal communities, Hispanic cultures and frontier traditions remain woven into the fabric of the highway, creating a uniquely American story found nowhere else in the world.
Our nation is a nation of travelers." —President Ronald Reagan
The centennial of Route 66 and America's 250th birthday arrive almost side by side—one celebrating a road that transformed travel, the other celebrating a nation founded on the freedom to explore, innovate and pursue opportunity. Together, these milestones invite us to reflect on where we've been and where we're headed. As travelers continue to follow the Mother Road across New Mexico, they aren't just driving through history—they're experiencing the very spirit of America.
Route 66 tells the story of America." —President Barack Obama
From the neon lights of Tucumcari to the pueblos of the Rio Grande Valley, from the red mesas of western New Mexico to the open skies of the high desert, Route 66 remains a living reminder that the journey itself has always been part of the American story. As America turns 250, New Mexico proudly celebrates the road that helped connect a nation.
Headlines
Road investment rolls forward as registration fees rise
We won't catch up immediately, but we will start to make steady progress." — Acting NMDOT Cabinet Secretary David D. Quintana, P.E.
As of July 1, New Mexico drivers will see the first increase in passenger vehicle registration fees and weight-distance taxes in more than 20 years. The changes are expected to generate about $70 million annually for the State Road Fund, helping the NMDOT address critical maintenance needs on aging roads. State officials said the additional revenue will support long-term infrastructure improvements after decades of underfunding, noting that more than half of the state's roads require maintenance and cost motorists more than $1,000 annually in vehicle repairs and wasted fuel.
Breaking ground with bonds
New Mexico's historic $1.5 billion transportation bonding program is hitting the road with the first $220 million bond sale set to close June 30, launching major infrastructure investments statewide. The 2026 Series A bonds, sold June 9, will provide funding for three major projects this year, with an additional $130 million expected through a second bond sale in December. In all, roughly $350 million in bond proceeds are expected to be available in 2026. The program begins addressing the state's estimated $7.5 billion transportation funding shortfall while improving roads and bridges that impact safety, mobility and economic growth. According to the 2026 TRIP report, more than half of New Mexico's roads require maintenance, costing drivers more than $1,000 annually in repairs and wasted fuel.
Keep Litter Out of My State
New Mexico's students are proving that leadership has no age limit. Our inaugural Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors cohort has taken meaningful action to improve their communities while inspiring others to do the same” —Gov. Lujan Grisham
New Mexico’s first Land of Enchantment Young Ambassadors cohort completed the 2025-26 school year after leading litter prevention and community beautification efforts across the state as part of the NMDOT's Que Linda program and the governor’s #KeepLitterOut campaign. The 14 student ambassadors organized 17 cleanup events, engaged 338 volunteers and collected more than 15,240 pounds (7.62 tons) of litter. The students also hosted the inaugural High School Beautification Summit, where they presented community-focused capstone projects promoting environmental stewardship and civic engagement. Applications for the 2026-27 cohort will open later this summer.
Looking up: New Mexico makes strides in pedestrian safety
New Mexico is seeing improvements in transportation safety, and that success is the result of coordinated work statewide. NMDOT may hold legislative responsibility for traffic fatality performance measures, but local governments are critical partners. By aligning education, enforcement, engineering, and community engagement, we’re demonstrating that a coordinated approach can save lives and move us closer to eliminating traffic fatalities.”
New Mexico is moving in the right direction when it comes to pedestrian safety. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association's 2025 Annual U.S. Pedestrian Deaths Report, the state's per-capita pedestrian fatality ranking improved from No. 1 to No. 9 — the first time New Mexico has ranked outside the top five since 2016. Preliminary data shows pedestrian fatalities declined from 102 in 2024 to 89 in 2025. State officials credit the improvement to coordinated safety efforts, including NMDOT's Target Zero initiative, launched in 2024 to align education, engineering, enforcement and community engagement with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2050. Safety investments such as enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian hybrid beacons, improved lighting, speed management and data-driven planning are helping communities create safer environments for people walking. NMDOT also continues to strengthen partnerships with local governments through training programs and safety initiatives designed to reduce roadway fatalities statewide. While officials are encouraged by the progress, they emphasize that continued collaboration will be essential to building on these gains and moving closer to zero traffic deaths.
New members join State Transportation Commission
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed two new members to the New Mexico State Transportation Commission, filling seats representing Districts Two and Six. Debra P. Hicks of Hobbs was appointed to represent District Two, while Anthony K. Tanner of Gallup was appointed to represent District Six. Both appointments became effective April 13, 2026, and followed the departures of Gary Tonjes and Charles Lundstrom. The governor thanked both former commissioners for their years of dedicated service to New Mexico.
Cutting the ribbon on progress
State and local leaders celebrated the completion of the $22 million N.M. 101/University Avenue Improvement Project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Las Cruces. Completed in partnership with La Calerita Construction LLC, the project included roadway reconstruction, safety enhancements, pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, drainage improvements and utility upgrades. The improvements are expected to enhance safety, traffic flow and mobility for residents, businesses, students and commuters throughout the Mesilla and Las Cruces area.
A better road ahead: U.S. 285 corridor opens the way
The NMDOT joined local officials, project partners and community members to celebrate the completion of improvements along the U.S. 285 corridor from the Texas state line to the Carlsbad city limits with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project enhanced safety, improved mobility and strengthened transportation infrastructure in southeastern New Mexico, marking a milestone made possible through collaboration among state and local partners.
Coast-to-coast, safety took the wheel
The NMDOT joined transportation agencies from North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona and California in the multistate “Safety Across the Country” campaign along Interstate 40, spanning from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Barstow, California. The collaborative video promoted safe travel during the summer road trip season and featured NMDOT Cabinet Secretary David D. Quintana. NMDOT thanked the North Carolina Department of Transportation for inviting New Mexico to participate in the coast-to-coast effort.
Around New Mexico: District updates
Maintenance projects
District One crews stayed busy across southern New Mexico with safety and preservation projects. Work continued on Interstate 25 north of Las Cruces to replace guardrail and install modern concrete barriers, while bridge crews repaired crash-damaged guardrail on N.M. 320 and restored a damaged concrete barrier wall. Chip sealing operations improved N.M. 418 and Interstate 10 frontage roads in Luna County, crews removed a hazardous dead tree along N.M. 61 near Silver City, and downtown improvements advanced in Truth or Consequences with new bike lane infrastructure and roadway treatments.
District Two patrols focused on maintenance and infrastructure preservation across eastern New Mexico. Crews removed an obsolete cattle guard on N.M. 130, cleaned cattle guards on N.M. 247, stabilized erosion-prone areas along U.S. 60/84 near Clovis, and cleaned the N.M. 249 bridge in Hagerman. The district also highlighted the Corona Patrol's work in NMDOT's "Far and Wide" series, showcasing the importance of maintaining strong relationships with local communities while keeping roadways safe.
In Albuquerque, District Three crews improved visibility and roadway appearance by trimming overgrown trees and removing debris along the northbound Pan American Freeway at San Mateo.
District Four contractors and patrols completed a variety of pavement and maintenance projects. Cold-mix asphalt repairs were placed on N.M. 266 near Las Tusas, hot-in-place recycling was performed on N.M. 63, and a Nova Chip overlay was applied on N.M. 34 in the Rowe Mesa area. Eagle Nest Patrol crews also removed rocks from Bobcat Pass after seasonal weather loosened material along the mountainside, helping keep the corridor safe for travelers.
District Five crews focused on bridge and roadside safety improvements. The Alcalde Patrol repaired cable barriers along N.M. 68, while bridge inspectors partnered with the General Office bridge team to conduct a specialized inspection using a Snooper truck capable of reaching difficult-to-access areas without disrupting rail traffic.
District Six crews completed blade patching operations on N.M. 509 near Hospah to extend pavement life and improve ride quality. In the Gallup area, striping was completed along N.M. 609, and major bridge improvements continued on N.M. 118 west of Gallup, including drainage upgrades, guardrail replacement, fencing and striping improvements.
Overnight demo keeps I-25 improvements moving
The old Montgomery Boulevard bridge over Interstate 25 is officially gone after crews worked through the night to safely demolish the structure, marking a major milestone in the I-25 Improved project. The overnight operation minimized impacts to daytime traffic while advancing construction of a modern interchange designed to improve safety, mobility and traffic flow through one of Albuquerque's busiest corridors. With the bridge demolition complete, crews spent the next several days removing debris and preparing the site for the next phase of construction, including the new Montgomery Boulevard bridge. The I-25 Improved project will ultimately replace aging infrastructure, improve pedestrian and bicycle access, and enhance travel along the heavily traveled I-25 corridor.
Far and Wide
Fort Sumner Patrol transformed its operations by cross-training employees to operate equipment, eliminating delays that once occurred when only designated operators could perform certain tasks. Patrol Supervisor Eugene Sena led the effort to improve efficiency and teamwork. Crew: Eugene Sena, Jared Dees, Peter Lucero, Darrell Moore, Emilio Lopez and Tomas Sena.
Rowe Patrol completed pothole repairs on N.M. 34 using a flow boy, loader and roller to restore the roadway. The crew emphasized quality workmanship and safety while serving the traveling public. Crew: Jody Jaramillo, Chris Lujan, Samuel Salazar, Lorenzo Salazar, Julian Encinas, Nathan Sandoval and Chris Villanueva.
Peñasco Patrol maintains 119 lane miles and focuses on preserving roadside signs throughout its patrol area. Despite a small workforce, the crew regularly assists neighboring patrols while keeping roads safe for motorists. Crew: Tomas Gonzales, Joseph Black, Ricky Valdez and Gilbert Martinez.
Raton Patrol demonstrated how dividing crews into multiple teams allows work to be completed simultaneously across the district. The crew credits its strong camaraderie and commitment to serving the local community. Crew: Rick Valdez, Russ Speck, Jordan Garcia, Ben Martinez, George Marquez, Francisco Ortega, Chance Middlebrook, Fernando Ortega and Jody Feldman.
Williamsburg Patrol completed maintenance on a highway on-ramp, highlighting how routine improvements enhance safety for the traveling public. The crew remains committed to keeping roads and communities moving. Crew: Jonathan Terraza, Isaac Armijo, Samuel Wilson, Cleo "Marty" Davis, Ramon Carrillo, Isaac Fuentes, Edward Medina, Johnny Torres, Cynthia Torres, Edward Garcia and Trevor Whitehead.
Clovis Patrol, District Two's Crew of the Year, was recognized for its dedication, teamwork and commitment to serving the community. The crew's experience and strong working relationships continue to drive its success. Crew: Dusty Johnson, Richard Lopez, Dominique Small, Donovan Devou and Marc Martinez.
Artesia Patrol, District Two's Best Patrol, maintains more than 530 lane miles while performing critical bridge maintenance with a six-person crew. The team takes pride in delivering quality work across its large coverage area. Crew: Juan Ramos, Pedro Carrasco, McGinn Sandoval, Shannon Sedillos and Wyatt Armstrong.
Corona Patrol demonstrated how it removes debris from cattle guards while emphasizing the importance of strong community partnerships. The crew continues to expand its skills while maintaining nearly 300 lane miles. Crew: Joseph Sanchez, Jason McLaughlin, James Lightfoot, Anthony Olguin and Tucker Chavez.
Dulce Patrol maintains fewer than 300 lane miles but continues to deliver reliable service with a small, dedicated workforce. The crew's teamwork allows it to complete a variety of maintenance projects across its patrol area. Crew: Randy Gonzales, John Madrid, Thomas Royston, Daniel Talamante, Glenn Avery and Kendrick Rodela.
Chama Patrol completed fence repairs near Monero while demonstrating the teamwork and coordination needed to maintain rural highways. The close-knit crew remains focused on serving its community. Crew: Chris Gallegos, Tomas Aguilar, Andy Martinez, Ruben Martinez, Orlando Ulibarri and Robert Martinez.
Tucumcari Patrol performed annual bridge maintenance on Interstate 40 by clearing expansion joints to help extend bridge life and improve safety. Patrol Supervisor David Nava, District Four's 2025 Supervisor of the Year, emphasized the importance of work zone safety for both crews and motorists. Crew: David Nava, Jamie Alderete, Gilbert Jimenez, Felix Sanchez, Seth Ashcraft, Ryan Carl and Luis Najera.
Nara Visa Patrol, recognized as Patrol of the Year, adapted quickly after overnight rain prevented crews from fully repainting crosswalks. Despite the weather, the team shifted priorities, remained productive and continued delivering projects for the community. Known for its experience and long tenure, the crew is committed to serving NMDOT and the traveling public. Crew: Patrick Gutierrez, John Maestas, Paul Sena, Juan Sanchez, Dominic Ulibarri, Jesus Sena, Ponciano Sanchez and Stanley Cross.
Employee recognition
District Six supervisor of the year, 2025, Stephanie Parra
District Six employee of the year, 2025, Julian Billy
District Six crew of the year, 2025, Human Resources
General Office employee of the year, 2025, Mary Smith
General Office supervisor of the year, 2025, Randy Trujillo
General Office team of the year, 2025, Bridge Design Group
District Two supervisor of the year, 2025, Bobby Baker
District Two employee of the year, 2025, Michelle Bush
District Two crew of the year, 2025, Clovis Patrol
District Two Best Patrol, Artesia Patrol
Kudos
Alma Pacheco, a GIS data analyst in the NMDOT's Planning Division Data Management Bureau, received the Green Chile Award for Outstanding Contributions in GIS in New Mexico from the New Mexico Geographic Information Council. The honor follows her first-place award at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials GIS-T Conference last month for her presentation and Story Map. Pacheco develops interactive story maps, web applications and public-facing dashboards that make NMDOT data more accessible while supporting statewide geospatial initiatives. Congratulations, Pacheco!
Phones get a red card
Keep your eyes on the road—not the scoreboard.
Whether you’re checking the score, texting a friend or scrolling for highlights, one glance can change everything. Put the phone away, stay focused, enjoy the World Cup and help everyone get home safely this summer.
Stay in your lane. Stay in the game.
Credits:
Created with images by Urupong - "Year 2025 to 2026 written on the road.,Business planning concept and new year beginning success idea" • Reza - "Tire track on asphalt background with yellow text Stay Alert Stay Safe.,Road safety and traffic awareness." • Vitalii Vodolazskyi - "Employee recognition handwritten on a memo stick." • kanesuan - "GIS, Geographic information system technology style with text" • Daria - "A referee's hand holding a red card high in a professional football stadium at night under bright floodlights.,This image represents a foul, player expulsion, or a serious penalty in a soccer match." • Travel man - "Man using smartphone while driving the car"