Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Roads Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County approves Tonaha Crossing engineering proposal; commissioners push to protect road funds and prioritize bus/mail routes
Summary
Engineering Analytic Inc. presented a $1.3 million-funded Tonaha Crossing replacement proposal; commissioners approved the proposal contingent on environmental permitting. The board also extended a local road fund agreement for Bartle Mesa paving and discussed using millings and spot-graveling to prepare subdivisions for future paving.
Colfax County commissioners approved an engineering proposal to design and support construction of the Tonaha Crossing replacement and discussed multiple road-funding steps to keep paving projects on track.
Engineering Analytic Inc. (presenter) told the commission the county has secured roughly $1.3 million through the NMDOT Transportation Project Fund to cover most costs (the presenter said roughly 95% would be paid by NMDOT). The firm said its scope covers design, bidding, construction support and environmental permitting; construction timing depends on the environmental review and any biological findings. "It will depend on the environmental permitting," the presenter said, and added the firm would aim to go to bid at 60% design and try to complete construction this year if permitting allows.
Commissioners urged staff to engage the Corps and other permitting authorities early and to press for an expedited review where possible. Commissioner comments emphasized the project's long history and local urgency: the crossing at County Road 89 has washed out repeatedly and is a high priority for constituents.
Separately the commission approved resolution 2026-26 to extend cooperative agreement LP40039—an additional $487,400 intended for the Bartle Mesa paving project—to preserve eligibility while project scheduling and planning proceed.
Road staff and engineering also debated using pavement millings versus gravel on lower-priority ranch roads. An engineer advised that millings can bind and perform well where used; commissioners ultimately approved a motion to spot-gravel 1.8 miles from Highway 72 toward the state land and to spot-gravel areas of the York Canyon subdivision to prepare for a larger gravel/paving grant effort.
Why it matters: the Tonaha Crossing and paving projects protect school-bus and mail routes and address repeated washouts that disrupt local travel and emergency response. Securing and preserving state and federal road funds is critical for construction windows and cost management.
What's next: road staff will proceed with design and environmental permitting; staff will coordinate with federal and state permitting agencies and bring back scheduling details once environmental findings are known.
