PDV gets more extension money, provides access for possible Project Ranger

Calif. Corp. eyes Sandoval Co. as potential site for rocket facility

RIO RANCHO — Sandoval County is in the running for a major investment in a project that coul…

BERNALILLO — The Sandoval County Commissioners approved a $5 million grant agreement between the county and New Mexico Department of Transportation for Paseo Del Volcan construction during their Oct. 22 meeting. The extension also makes Project Ranger, a proposed project from California company Castelion for a 1,000-acre rocket motor production facility in Rio Rancho, more possible.

According to Director of Public Works Mark Hatzenbuhler, the money will go toward construction of a stretch of road for the PDV extension from Unser Boulevard to Meadows Boulevard and a frontage road from Meadows to Rainbow Boulevard.

“This will provide access to 28th Street and 29th Street, which will allow us to build the road to county-owned land to Sections 36 and 32 as part of Project Ranger,” it reads in the commission agenda packet.

The grant is for $4,750,000 with a match of $250,000 which current legislative appropriations to be used as the match.

During the meeting, a May start date was briefly suggested but is not set in stone. Hatzenbuhler said the hope for this portion of the extension is an end date in September 2026, adding that a little more money is needed to get started on construction.