HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 72

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO FUND, DESIGN, CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN EXTENSION OF THE RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS FROM SANTA FE TO ESPANOLA.

     WHEREAS, the Rail Runner express is a commuter rail service between Belen and Santa Fe carrying people to work, stores, entertainment and tourist attractions; and

     WHEREAS, two phases of the Rail Runner express have been completed; and

     WHEREAS, phase one established commuter rail service from Belen to the town of Bernalillo in July 2006; and

     WHEREAS, phase two extended commuter rail service from Bernalillo to Santa Fe in December 2008; and

     WHEREAS, the Rail Runner express represents a viable commuter option that has reduced the burden on commuters of rising gasoline prices and stressful driving conditions; and

     WHEREAS, the Rail Runner express will reduce motor vehicle emissions by reducing traffic volume, will delay the need to widen highways for increased capacity and will reduce highway maintenance costs; and

     WHEREAS, the Rail Runner express will improve economic development and tourism in north central New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the Rail Runner express has been well-received and experiences significant ridership levels; and

     WHEREAS, United States highway 84/285, between Santa Fe and Espanola, has become a major commuter and tourist route in north central New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the travel demand, terrain and available highway right of way all exist in making a Rail Runner express extension from Santa Fe to Espanola feasible; and

     WHEREAS, the residents of the Espanola valley would like to see the Rail Runner express extended from Santa Fe to Espanola;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state transportation commission and the department of transportation develop a plan to fund, design, construct and operate an extension of the Rail Runner express from Santa Fe to Espanola; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the extension plan, when complete, be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committees by November 2009 and to the library of the legislative council service; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary-designate of transportation and the governor.

- 3 -