Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

comes into play. After conceiving the plan, Ruidoso’s leaders sprang into action and reconstructed Gavlin Canyon,Warrior Drive, and Paradise roadways. Upon arrival, the first thing travelers experience is the thoroughfares, and the town is succeeding in its efforts to supply the best possible transportation network. Ron Sena, Village Manager, explains, “We were fortunate to receive funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT).” For the repairs, it was critical to hire Cutler Repaving, Inc. because of its hot-in-place and single-pass repaving methods, saving time and taxpayer dollars. With today’s fiscal and environmental issues, Cutler’s recycling process is an important part of maintenance programs. New Mexico’s DOT funds 95% of these ventures, with a 5% match from the town. Ruidoso received another 1.5 million and repaired three more roads. “That went through the same process with Cutler,” adds Sena. An ongoing venture is the $20 million, decade-long investment in the Village of Ruidoso-owned Sierra Blanca Regional Airport (SBRA). Sena emphasizes, “Investing in airport infrastructure is an investment in the financial vitality of our region.” The airport is a key driver of movement, connecting Ruidoso to the nation. Another upgrade is high-speed fiber installation.“We signed a multi-million-dollar contract with Kinetic Windstream, who is completing the work now,” says Mayor Crawford.“We are just getting off DSL in some cases.” This necessary expense will improve the lives of residents and boost the hospitality industry. During prime tourist season, businesses were so busy, they could not process credit cards because of the sluggish internet lines. Crawford reports the town is benefiting from the investment. “The fiber draws more professionals to the area, notably the work-at-home generation that’s developed.” A third long-term venture involves creating a 90 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02