NM-2026-016

Application purpose: This grant will fund land acquisition for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express (NMRX) operations and maintenance facility (OMF).

Activities performed: Rio Metro will use the awarded funds to acquire approximately eight acres of privately-owned land that adjoin eight acres of railroad right-of-way.

In total, the 16-acre site will become the future home of OMF, which will be constructed with other federal, state, and local funds.

Expected outcomes: Among other benefits, by acquiring the land for and later constructing the OMF, Rio Metro will:

--Eliminate documented safety risks to employees associated with the existing outdoor maintenance of locomotives and railcars and the use of portable equipment;

--Reduce cost and time to complete major maintenance tasks;

--Reduce train movements and idling in the yard and associated emissions that impact adjoining neighborhoods;

--Reduce exterior lighting, noise, and dust levels to surrounding neighborhoods;

--Improve resiliency to flooding and weather-related interference with maintenance tasks;

--Eliminate exposure of fuel, lubricants, and fluids to weather-related events;

--Enable Rio Metro to support higher Rail Runner frequencies in the future;

--Retain the minimal deadhead distance between the OMF and downtown Albuquerque station; and

--Adopt energy-efficient technologies.

Intended beneficiaries: Employees (mechanical crews, engineers, conductors, train staff, etc.), neighbors, and passengers will all benefit from this project.

Subrecipient activities: None.

RIO Metro Regional Transit District

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING IS APPROPRIATED AND ALLOCATED AT THE DISCRETION OF CONGRESS TO SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES - I.E. CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING.

20.534 - Community Project Funding Congressionally Directed Spending

FTA Region 6 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

New Mexico United States

State-Wide

NOT APPLICABLE