How to Participate
Introduction
This website constitutes a combined Phase I-A and Phase I-B, evaluation of alternatives, pursuant to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Alignment Study process. The project is assigned the control number (CN) 5100830, constituting US highway 64 MP 160.70 to 161.70 and NM 17 highway MP 0.00 to 1.75.
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The Alignment Study incorporates the portion of US highway 64 (US 64) MP 160.70 to 161.70, through the southern portion of the Village of Chama. The project also encompasses the portion of NM 17 highway (NM 17) MP 0.00 to 1.75, which starts where US 64 makes a nearly ninety-degree bend at approximate MP 161.121 (Westerly to southernly). The project continues north along NM 17 through the Village of Chama, and Chama’s Central Business District (CBD), end at the intersection with 1st Street/NM 29 at MP 1.75. US 64 and US highway 84 (US 84) routes overlap near Boyer Gulch (US 64 MP 148.59/US 84 MP 281.38) and the community of Tierra Amarilla (US 64 MP 175.11/US 84 MP 254.93). For convenience in this study these overlapping routes will be referred to as US 64.
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Through the study limits US 64 is a two-lane facility with shoulders, except at the junction with NM 17, where a channelized right-turn is provided for the east to south movement and a left-turn lane is provided for the north to west movement. Away from the intersection the existing typical section provides 2 12-foot driving lanes with 5 to 6-foot shoulders. The NM 17 is predominantly comprised of two typical sections. The southern typical section, from the junction with US 64, north to the CBD, provides 2 12-foot driving lanes with little to no shoulders. Through the CBD the NM 17 corridor maintains the 2 12-foot driving lanes but provides 3-foot shoulder/buffers to 24” vertical (barrier) curbs or 11-foot-wide frequent parallel parking areas. The CBD also provides sidewalk with streetlighting and curb ramps at roadway intersections.
Project Purpose and Need
The Purpose of the US 64, milepost 160.70 to 161.70 & NM 17 MP 0.00 to 1.75, Alignment Study is to address physical roadway deficiencies and improve drainage, safety and mobility for all modes while accommodating economic development.
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The Need is based on poor pavement conditions, ADA deficiencies, lack of pedestrian facilities, lack of bicycle accessibility and safety, frequent uncontrolled highway access, poor intersection and driveway geometry, undefined roadside parking, poor roadside and crossing drainage issues and roadside safety.
Location
US highway 64 (US 64) is a United States highway that runs east-west through northern New Mexico. The highway is predominantly a two-lane facility, with 3-lane and 4 to 5-lane segments near larger populated communities like Farmington. At the US 64 MP 160.121, is the junction with and start of NM highway 17 (NM 17). NM 17 continues north to the New Mexico and Colorado states border. NM 17 provides a parallel roadway route to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, between Chama and Antonito, CO.
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The project is the two-lane corridor that runs through Chama, Rio Arriba County in the NMDOT’s Transportation District 5 (D5).
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The Alignment Study incorporates the portion of US highway 64 (US 64) MP 160.70 to 161.70, through the southern portion of the Village of Chama. The project also encompasses the portion of NM 17 highway (NM 17) MP 0.00 to 1.75, which starts where US 64 makes a nearly ninety-degree bend at approximate MP 161.121 (Westerly to southernly). The project continues north along NM 17 through the Village of Chama, and Chama’s Central Business District (CBD), end at the intersection with 1st Street at MP 1.75. US 64 and US highway 84 (US 84) routes overlap near Boyer Gulch (US 64 MP 148.59/US 84 MP 281.38) and the community of Tierra Amarilla (US 64 MP 175.11/US 84 MP 254.93). For convenience in this study these overlapping routes will be referred to as US 64.