Santa Ana Pueblo breaks ground on new intersection

SANTA ANA PUEBLO — Following a decade of planning, Santa Ana Pueblo and state officials broke ground Wednesday on a $2.4 million new intersection needed to improve public safety at New Mexico State Road 313 and Dove Road.

Santa Ana Pueblo Gov. Myron Armijo and other dignitaries blessed the endeavor before picking up shovels to begin work on the project: a three-way intersection to expand NM 313 and include a turn lane on Dove Road.

"We're going to get on the road to fixing the intersection," Armijo said after the event. "It's time we had to do this project. It will make a big difference."

Armijo said the project, approved by council resolution, is meant to address traffic issues in response to his pueblo's population growth. He pointed to several former pueblo governors, present at Wednesday's groundbreaking, who worked to secure state funding.

"It's a real testament that these governors have had input in trying to get that intersection as a safe way for our people to come in and out, and then also (help) north and south traffic to be safe," Armijo said. 

Among those former governors is Lawrence Montoya, who held the position in 2014, when the project was first envisioned. He authorized research on the project.

"To the extent of the reason why we're doing this, the capacity of vehicles is making the road a bit more dangerous," Montoya said. "It's a human endeavor; not everyone drives the way they are supposed to drive. We wanted to fix that, so here we are."

Armijo called NMDOT "an excellent partner" to work with on the project. "I'm so thankful," Armijo added, "It's incredible that we're even starting."

New Mexico Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna, who sent a deputy to the event Wednesday, said in a news release that the project will improve travel not only for pueblo residents but also for those in nearby Bernalillo.

“Safety is our top priority,” Serna said. “Investment in the infrastructure of our highway and roadway systems is critical to improving safer commutes, providing better access to jobs and services, and developing stronger connections between our communities. Our partnership with the Pueblo of Santa Ana Transportation Department will help improve safety and connect families to jobs, schools and essential services in the area.”

Work on the project — done by Lenea Corporation, a Native American tribal construction company — is expected to begin in January, according to a NMDOT news release. The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete, Armijo said.