New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-10-17
SPLENDID PROGRESS IN
STATE ROAD BUILDING

problem n new M exiCO, more so tnaf
in any other state in the Union. A
considerable part of the state is
mountains, requiring expensive high
way construction. Many streams
rise within the state, calling for mucl
and often costly bridge construction
Only in the plains section is high
way construction possible at a mod
crate cost.
New Mexico is still sparsely set
tied and its natural resources de
yeloped only to u limited extent
More than thirty-seven per cent OF
the area OF the state Is still under
the control of the Federal govern
ment and therefore does not con
tribute anything directly III taxes toI
highways. The burden of building
the highways in the state therefore
falls on comparatively small part
OF the state. Federal road aid, OF
course, is available, but only to the
extent that the state is able to meet
such aid dollar for dollar.
Considering the difficulties that
New Mexico must overcome IN build
ing an adequate state wide highway
system, the state is doing remark
able we'll not only in providing re-
venue to meet the full Federal allot-
ment of road funds, but in provid-
ing money for county and local
roads. This is SO much the more
creditable as the state only recent
ly began systematic highway build
ing.
The legislature in 1908 made the
first attempt at establishing a state
highway, creating the Scenic High
way" In 1909 the legislature estab
lished the "Camino Real" beginning
at the Colorado state line and run
ning southward through Ration, Las
Vegas, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, So
corro, and Las Cruces to the Texas
state line. $l0O000 appropriated for
its construction was at that time
considered extreme extravaganza.
The real effort to establish sys-
tematic highway construction come 5
after statehood in 1912. Whatever
road work was done before this was
strictly local and for the benefit OF
some particular community. Through
highways were never considered.
Since 1912 New Mexico has come
to the front and has now progress
sive and up-to-date state and coun-
ty highway organization. A state
highway commission has direct
charge of all state roads and coun-
ty authorities cooperate closely
with the commission in planning
highways and providing funds. In
consequence road building through
out the state is being carried on
systematically and the maintenance,
entirely neglected in the past, is
receiving careful attention.
This spring a complete census was
taken under the direction of the dis
trict engineers of the road mileage
in the state. The total is 43Ol
miles. Approximately 7.l00 miles Of
this total have been declared state
roads either by the legislature or
the state highway commissio The
highway commission under authority
of law has designated a certain mile
age that shall be maintained by the
state, known as Red Line" roads.
The total mileage of red line roads
at present is 2,952 miles. This mile
age includes the main thoroughfares
in the state. :
Thirty-four Federal aid road pro-
jects have been definitely decided
upon, involving 4794 miles of road
Nine projects, involving l07 miles,
is actually under construction at
cost of $l,033,27.7o. The total cost
of the projects already agreed upon
is estimated at s., 727,8340s. Eleven
additional tentative Federal aid pro-
Jects are under preparation. This
will give every county in the state
one or more Federal aid projects.
Other projects are under considera-
tion.
The Forest Service is also cons
tructing a number of roads in ma
tional forests in cooperation with
the state and in some cases with
counties as well. Among the Forest
aid projects may be mentioned Glo-
rieta-Panchuella 1875 miles, Cimarron
Taos Is miles, Hondo-M Mescalero
3.s miles, Highrolls-Weed 80 miles,
and Datil-Reserve 3l.2 miles. Cons
truction is progressing all these pro-
Iects except the Datil-Reserve pro-
lect in Socorro county. This pro-
iect had to be deferred for lack of
funds.
The allotment of Federal aid to
New Mexico is $l,273,63376 for the
year 1919, Sl,5l7.6929S for 1890, and
81 597,57l-56 for 1921, a total of $4,-
j88,898.30 under the provisions OF the
Federal Aid Road act approved June
II, 1916 and the Post Office Appro-
f9io. '''" D''' App'''e' ''''A'' 90
To meet this Federal aid, the
Fourth legislature provided a special
three mill tax levy that in the three
year period is expected to produce
around S3,0O0.O0O. and other rev.
enue measures. A bond issue OF ST. /
OOO,0O000 will be voted upon next
fall and will no doubt carry, should
II appear that the money is needed.
The matter of maintenance is just
as important as construction. Unless
highway is maintained. it soon
wears out. Dona Ana county lost
its fine road built in 1913 and 1914
IN a short time as no adequate
provisions was made for its upkeep
The state highway department re
cognizes the need for proper main
tenance and is already giving close .
attention TO the upkeep of the roads /
A patrol system is now being work
ed which will mean that eventually
the state and every county will have
crews, equipped with .
truck, tractor. graders. drags, and
other equipment.
In this connection it may be noted
that the state has already received
much equipment in the way of trucks.
tractors, autos. and great
variety of other equipment and sup
plies from the war department with