Rio Rancho lawmaker, transportation secretary to hold town hall on dangerous corridor

RIO RANCHO — A local state representative and Republican leader will host a town hall June 24, inviting the secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation to hear from Rio Rancho residents on how officials can improve a dangerous highway corridor.

New Mexico Highway 528, near the Pasilla Road/Rivers Edge corridor, will be the topic of discussion with Rep. Alan Martinez of Rio Rancho and New Mexico Department of Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Church of the Incarnation, 2309 Monterrey Road NE, Rio Rancho.

The highway has seen a string of accidents over the last several years that have resulted in hospitalizations or death, according to previous news reports. In October 2024, a couple was killed when they were T-boned at the intersection of NM 528 and Pasilla Road, leading nearby residents to push officials for improvements to the corridor. NMDOT traffic studies before and after the wreck determined a signal was not needed, previous news reports said.

Martinez, who also serves as the Republican whip of the New Mexico House of Representatives, said in an interview June 17 he has heard concerns from residents about the corridor ever since his first campaign in 2022. Their suggestions included a stoplight where Pasilla Road intersects with the highway, but Martinez said transportation officials told him it was not feasible. Now, with other solutions in question, Martinez believes a town hall is needed.

"This (town hall) is all about listening to the community and coming up with solutions that are going to work for everybody," Martinez said. "At the end of the day, all we want to do is keep people safe."

He came up with the idea for a town hall following discussions with Serna during the past legislative session in which the secretary expressed his concerns about the corridor. Martinez wants residents to hear Serna's concerns during the upcoming gathering.

"I want the community to hear that he is paying attention ... and that he does want to work with the community to come up with a solution," Martinez said.

NMDOT spokesperson Kristine Bustos-Mihelcic confirmed Serna will attend the town hall with his staff, NMDOT Deputy Secretary Mo Moabed and the agency's executive director, Jerry Valdez.

"This is a great opportunity for residents to ask questions, share concerns and offer essential insights," Bustos-Mihelcic wrote in an email.

Martinez said he is not interested in using the town hall to blame NMDOT for accidents along the corridor. He also wants to set rules for everyone to engage in respectful dialogue.

"I want to make it clear from the beginning that this is not a chance to beat up on the cabinet secretary or the department. This is a chance for us to come up with solutions," Martinez said.