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Commissioners back applying for TPF funding to improve Ridge Road for safety and connectivity
Summary
County planning and public works staff said the county will seek Transportation Project Fund (TPF) support to micro-surface the first 6.1 miles of a roughly 9.2-mile dirt stretch of Ridge Road to improve safety and emergency response; commissioners emphasized the project's safety purpose rather than creating a trucking bypass.
Grant County staff told commissioners on April 8 they plan to submit an application to the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Transportation Project Fund (TPF) for Ridge Road, and the board discussed project scope and community impacts.
Planning and public-works directors said the dirt section between the detention center and the airport measures approximately 9.2 miles; staff proposed seeking funding to micro-surface the initial 6.1 miles and pursue subsequent phases, including engineering and drainage improvements. "That stretch of road that's dirt between, right there at the detention center and the airport is approximately 9.2 miles. So our thought is at least we would like to get the funding for the first 6.1 miles of that, and have that micro surfaced," a planning director said.
Why it matters: Staff and commissioners framed the project as a safety and emergency-access improvement that would give first responders alternate routing and improve driveability for residents along the corridor. The county said the project is not intended as a truck bypass; staff emphasized its safety-first rationale.
Community concerns and conditions: Commissioners asked whether the work could redirect heavy commercial traffic toward Silver City; staff said the project is not intended for heavy-truck bypass and noted the design would focus on safety and drainage rather than widening or creating a multi-lane arterial. Staff said existing maintenance complaints about the road and drainage problems support the upgrade.
Next steps: Resolution R25-27 (declaring eligibility and intent to submit a TPF application) was placed on the agenda for the board’s consideration. Staff said, if invited to apply, the county would pursue subsequent engineering and construction phases in later years.
Ending: Staff will provide maps and additional details to commissioners ahead of the formal application and requested resolution vote at the next meeting.
