Up to $328 million in state funding may be spent this year on transportation projects across New Mexico, according to a new study compiled by a legislative committee.
In looking at how much money is coming into the state and how it can be responsibly apportioned, the New Mexico State Legislature’s Legislative Finance Committee has recommended that lawmakers currently meeting in Santa Fe adopt an overall budget for the next fiscal year of $11.1 billion.
That budget, reflecting revenue growth, is 2.5% larger than the last fiscal year, representing a jump of some $268 million.
The state is in a “strong position” said Nathan Small, a Democrat member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Finance Committee, to fund a variety of initiatives going forward, “including education, public safety, health care, and economic diversification.”
Added Small: “We can also make substantial one-time investments in infrastructure and housing projects that will have a meaningful impact for New Mexicans now, while saving prudently for whatever the future holds.”
Besides the $328 million for transportation, the Finance Committee is recommending expenditures to the tune of $227 million for water project work, and $135 million for general economic development projects.
The transportation work includes funding for road maintenance projects undertaken by the New Mexico Department of Transportation, along with $155 million for local and tribal government road work.
The committee has additionally recommended that up to $4.5 million be delegated for “road safety audits.”
The New Mexico legislature will be in session for another three weeks until February 19.
January 30, 2026
By Garry Boulard
